Melanie Information on Stroke

You know if it was a TIA, like what they thought mine was, the chances of his recovery being quick are great. I don't know that you know this, but there is a Stroke Association, just like for the cancer and lung diseases. They have a fabulous website. It has a lot of information on it's web page and you can view all kinds of interactive pages to help you understand what diagnosis Todd might get and just what kinds of stroke there are. We can pray that it is a TIA, which is very manageable. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=explainingstroke Hope that comforts you somewhat. The risk of having a stroke increases with certain things, but Todd and I have been trying to manage our health, we talk about it all the time. We exercise, eat right and he had his cholesterol under control. Amy and I are wondering if it had something to do with his plane flight a few weeks ago, which can increase the risk. I love you. Be comforted. Mel Myrna wrote: Is it OK if I share this with your siblings? I do worry about plane flights for both Dad, who has Factor 5, and for me, because I have distended vein walls. Melanie wrote: I'm not sure everyone wants to know all this stuff. If you feel like you need to send it you can. It was intended more just for you. Myrna wrote: I didn't send it. I asked first. Love, M

Todd

Amy G wrote: Thank you to everyone for your prayers for Todd. And thank you especially to Melanie for all the calls she made last night for me. I called her since it sounded exactly like what she had experienced a few years and she would know what was going on and what to expect (more than I would) if anyone had questions. Thank you Melanie! Update: MRI last night confirmed a minor stroke at the base of his skull. Had then went in for an ultrasound to check for any other possible clots floating around, and they didn't find any more. He has no paralysis anywhere, but the left side of this body is numb and can't feel. He still has full range of movement and has not lost any strength on that side. Doctor (finally) prescribed morphine for his head pain so he's been able to relax and get some rest. The doctor informed him that he will be having a busy day today with all the testing their planning on doing, one of them being a camera put down his throat so they can look at his heart from the inside of his chest, and also starting physical therapy. Doctor said he will be in the hospital probably through Monday. He is in Room 517 at Mt Carmel East Hospital in Columbus. Main number is (614) 234-6000 if anyone might want to call. Just know he will be more out of his room today than in, and he is on morphine, but he is coherent. I am heading over to spend the day with him and a wonderful family is taking the kids today, I will be coming home around 5:30 for our ward trunk or treat party that Todd doesn't want the kids to miss. We will play it by ear for tomorrow and church... We are doing fine out here, our ward family is a huge support and are taking care of any needs we may have. Everyone is begging to come get the kids so I can go be with Todd and the kids are happy to go play too! If you could just keep Todd in your prayers, that's all we need right now. Thank you to everyone for your love and concern. My cell # is 740-817-2564. Feel free to call or text me anytime. Also, Todd is asking that it not be broadcast on Facebook, not that anyone would, just keeping his wishes met. You are more than welcome to tell extended family, he doesn't want it kept a secret, he just doesn't want it on the world-wide-web, lol! Thank you again for all your prayers, he can feel them on his behalf. Love to all, Todd wrote: Thank you Mel. I asked Amy to ask Mel to make the calls so Amy could focus on the kids. I really think I'm going to be fine but it will take some time. Love you all. Myrna wrote: If you can type and think, my prayers have been answered!!!! I love you. Should we come? We think we should.

Do You Want to Fly to Todd

Melanie wrote: As you are probably aware, Kirsten is willing to pay for you to fly anywhere you need. Howard and I are able to contribute some money to the flying fund as well. I am really thinking about going to see him this coming weekend. Not sure how that will work out with Mikaela, but I want to go. I will talk with you more later. Mel Myrna wrote: I would like to go. Amy seems to think that we should wait until Monday.

Todd, I am sorry--Auntie Eva

Eva Dixon
10/30/11
Dear Tim and Myrna: I can truly imagine what you are going through. I do think President's advice is very good. From experience, it is much better to not have too many folks around when therapy and everything  that goes on for the patient. I was so blessed when #8 happened on 2010.  I knew what was happening and i just need my kids to get me to the right hospital so I could have the medication that stops the stroke. It has to be given with in three to four hours from when the stroke hits. The thing is you need to get to a hospital  that is authorized and has to be given by a neurologist.   The 7th one, Jim got me to the hospital here but they didn't tell him they could not help me with the med.; My neurologist told me this one was a big one but the med did not reach the very center of the stroke and she did not know what that would affect. I have found it affected my ability to concentrate at home but I can go to the library and concentrate on the work here for a whole day with terrific results.  I am finding so many family members. Enough , i need go get some supper.God bless you and Todd.  Much love always.   Eva .

Todd Had a Stroke

Todd had a stroke today. He is in the Columbus, Ohio, Hospital. We were at the temple when we received a call from Melanie. President Pinegar learned about it, told us to go home and to find out what was happening. We are excused from tomorrow's shift and Sunday's devotional. He told us that Todd would be fine. It was a consensus that we should, at least, be near the phone. Many of our friends at the temple think that we should fly out. President Pinegar thought we should, at least, stay in touch and be near the phone. Amy thinks we should wait a bit. Todd has some paralysis on his left side but his speech is not affected. I guess we will just hang loose.

Amy and Todd's Gordon Family

Maxine Gordon wrote: We buried my brother today in Spanish Fork. I hope Todd will be okay. He is such a special person. I am so sorry to hear this. He works too hard at being bishop. Did you know Brent had his gallbladder out today? He is fine. Myrna wrote: I found out that Brent had his gallbladder out when Melanie called to tell us about Todd. I did not know about your brother. I am sorry to hear about that. It was a sad day for you, I am sure. I think Todd just works too hard at everything he does. He wears himself ragged. Amy tried to tell him to go to the doctor when he had a terrible headache for the past three days. He told her he didn't have time to go.

AnnMarie and Summer in a Photo

I babysat Summer after Melanie went back to school in the fall. Melanie had taken care of her during the summer. This was in 1978 through 1979. I really enjoyed her but then I got pregnant with David and had to quit. I kept it up for a time until I got larger and was having so much trouble with my back and hip. I was sad to see her go and felt sorry that I could not care for her. Her mother was the county extension agent. There was just Summer at the time. Summer had a rough time adjusting to a new babysitter and I really did feel terrible about not being able to keep up. I started for the newspaper after that and would have had a difficult time watching her at any rate. 

Melanie wrote: Brenda and Dale Bradford were the parents. Summer and Colin were the children at that time.

Myrna wrote: Melanie, you did babysit them both after that at times, did you not? I don't really remember Colin.


Melanie wrote: Yes, by about two years. You watched Summer, then you became pregnant just after she had Colin. You felt horrible, because your back was bothering you so much, that you couldn't keep watching her children, because they wanted to be held all the time and you couldn't do it.
Mel


Myrna wrote: I don't know that I watched Colin. I think I only watched Summer. Now that I think about it, I think Colin was born around the same time as David. I do remember that I hated to stop watching Summer but I just could not lift her. I really did love her. I could get down easier than I could lift up and I would change her diapers while she laid on the floor. I had to boost her up onto the sofa so she could nap. Then I would sit by her and sing to her. I really did think I was being unfair to her because I could not hold her as she liked to be held. Her mom had Annette Lovell watch her for a month but she did not think that Annette was clean enough. That surprised me. I didn't ever think I managed to be particularly tidy though I did try and so did you older kids. She told me that she found an older lady in her ward who watched Summer and just doted on her. So that was good.

I wanted to tell all of you about my newest adventure so am sending this to each of you

Eva wrote: I wanted to tell all of you about my newest adventure so am sending this to each of you who I have email addresses.

When I was on my mission, one of the couples was from Liberty, Missouri ( Harvey and Laura Evans). I have stayed in touch with many of the missionaries including these  two.  Unfortunately, Harvey passed away suddenly  not quite two years ago.

Sometime ago, the Church awarded a contract to my son, David, an architect to design a new Stake Center  building. It is built on the same property as the new  Kansas Area Temple that was announced a couple years ago in General Conference.

Until I received a letter from Laura several months ago that their  Temple in Liberty was coming right along,  I had no idea that was where it was. A couple weeks ago, she called me on a Thursday morning and said she had talked to their Stake President and he said the dedication of their new Stake Center would be on the 6th of November and that I needed to come and be there for it.

I talked to David and he and Eulale (his wife) will be going one the 3rd for meetings
he has on Friday and Saturday. I also called Richard and he got me a first class ticket so I could be more comfortable and a wheel chair so I won't have to walk far. He has lots  of flying miles which he used for me. I am really excited to be there and to also see the Temple exterior at least.  

Laura called me back and asked me to stay a few more days, but I could not change my ticket so she said I have to come back again so she can take me to all of the things and places there are to see back there.
 
Well, that is a synopsis of my plans. I am excited but a bit anxious; I have not been on a flying trip for a very long time.  It should be a great experience.
 
I hope all is all with you and yours. God bless you all.

Love, you,
     Grandma and Eva

Myrna wrote: Three cheers for you!!!!! I am so happy for you and I know that you will have a wonderful time. It will be great to be at a stake center dedication for a building that David designed. Congratulations to him, as well. And how wonderful it is of Richard to make certain that you get to travel in comfort (and style). You certainly deserve all of the great treatment. Have fun. We will be thinking about you and your great adventure.

Golden Wedding Anniversary Flowers Are Lasting Well

Myrna wrote: Melanie, the flowers you arranged, and paid for, are still blooming, fresh-looking and beautiful. The water today is looking a bit murky so, in the a.m., I will change it again. Other than that, they are still gorgeous. Thank you!!!! The roses are about had, however. I treated them the same as the sunflowers but they must not be as sturdy because the blooms are starting to look dry.

CD Vs Other Methods of Transferring Thousands of Photos

CDs are the preferred method of transferring photos from my hands to yours, at least, of the majority of you. Most of you have no trouble accepting emailed photos but you do get tired of having to deal with email when you have had a long day working. I guess you can look at CDs on the computer when you feel like it.

The concern with the site is that you all have to have a password and that never works with our family. I don't know why, it just doesn't. Tell me how many of you visited MyFamily.com? How many of you visit "I Heard It Trough the Trauntvein" our family blog site? Once again, I am betting, it is because you can't remember your password. You need to make it something simple, that you can remember.

You are all worried about the expense of burning CDs. That is the least of my concerns. I certainly can afford $20 once a month for a container of 20 CDs. My concern was the time and Dad's complaints about how much time I spent doing it. Getting a CD ready to print takes some time and then 5-7 minutes per CD (about an hour) to burn them takes a bit more. I usually start them burning and then work on other projects in the office because, just as sure as I leave, the stupid CD will decide that it is unprintable and I have to eject it, throw it away, and insert a new CD. That never happens if I stick around. (And don't tell me it is because of the brand of CDs I use. I have tried several brands.) Dad said he will be content with the time issue because it is evident that you all want the CDs.

Burning CDs is like doing dishes. You think you are done and things are looking nice and then you have to start over again. In the kitchen, someone gets a drink and there is a glass to wash and at CD burning time, someone sends a great photo. Oh well. At least I am not dealing with bees like Dad and Jim.

However, Kirsten, I liked the site that you started and, if we want to post a few photos there from our ancient pasts and see how well the family uses it, it might be worth a gamble. AnnMarie doesn't want any of her kids' names attached to any of the photos. Neither does Julie. It is great being loved in small town America. That means that everyone will need a password.