Fall Fun

We had bea-u-dee-ful weather here in Upstate NY this fall. Here are a few photos from some of our piece of the world....our annual trip to the pumpkin farm and also from our deck one Sunday morning when they all happened to wear the same color????
Kristin

Thanksgiving 2007 in Owego

This pic just in from Owego for Thanksgiving this year.

Ok...uuummm....I did not Know you posted the hole kidney thing...

I have a slightly different take on the events of the last month or so but certainly the support and courage were unbelievable.

Thanks to my team forever.

Very funny reading all this afterwards...a bit disconcerting having such deeply personal and difficult memories so out there in cyberspace. Tom...maybe we should just change the Blog to The Loud Family?

I remember sitting up and eating jello just the next day after surgery then things went crazy...the fluids and imunos, all that stuff was pumped in and it was lights out. They did not mention the violent delusionsional states and all-night hallucinations on the brochure. As I came to find out it was just the random side effect from the medicines. I stayed up 73 hours once at school. Did some nice drawings but it was wacky time. I was relatively sure I went over this in the hopital. I think my Dad really had a tough time the first few days. In post op I vaguely remember holding on to him with both hands asking for pain meds and shaking like crazy. He had to yell at the staff twice to help me which they did way to late to erase that fond memory. Do all surgery units run out of morphine? If not it's an excellent practice and they should all do it. How cleansing.

I have received a couple of evaluation forms from Strong for feedback....hmm...I may have to attach additional sheets.

Pop, Tom and Lizzy pulling those late night watches really was heroic. I kept thinking if I was them I would not want to be in that uncomfortable chair for hours at a time watching me get filled with water. I would drop out of a bizarre halucination about how everyone at Kodak had turned into ferdnand legger? people (all very round) and they were floating around me telling me about the new kodak color schemes...only to see the concerned face of my team in the garish fluorescent lighting...also scary at times. "Jim...You OK?" I was never sure what to say. As bad as I felt physically and mentally, I could not believe they could keep hanging in here. I was starting to feel bad for them. At least I was lying down. I remeber one nightmare/hallucination was about how the building code was in my room and I had to fix everything before it was to late. Kristin said I was drawing in the air all night. I was so out of it I did not realize what these things were until days later.

The worst was day 3 or 4 when I was having breathing problems. Everything was going wrong all at once. The pain, the diarrea, insomnia, constant cold, the noise, the water swelling, the meds and all I could think was I did not write Grace a goodby note. I was cursing myself out. I think that was when I got out my fat black mental sharpie and wrote down above my mind "you have a job to do".

Thankfully...they pulled the ivs out and started draining the 40 lbs of water they inflated me with. I had to stay in two extra days so they could pump fluid from the incision. Gosh how did all that water get there? Brilliant.

The return of the sarcasm was euphoric to say the least...to want to share and laugh after 6 days of hell was overwhelming. Luckily the kidney transplant patient in the bed next to mine (Andy)was completely on the same page. We just started making fun of the staff and soon it was a full time job. The indian dr's names were just to darn funy. Dr. ketchupandmustard, Dr. areyouok and drJain or as we reffered to him as dr pain were so easy to immitate. It was good therapy. We're going for ribs this week to celebrate our first 6 weeks of no rejection. They would send in a 20 year old tech at 4:40 everymorning to get the morning blood draw and we would jump on them (verbally) until they would leave the room to stop laughing. Its hard to stick a needle in a vein when you are laughing. Thanks to Andy...we got out the same day. We had a plan if they did not let us out...it was the Strongshank Redemption.

Phase II was of course geting better at home. Sleep was better and it was great having some peace and quiet. I shaved my face clean the first morning home...holy crap a extra pale middle aged skeletor was smiling back and I realized that I should put more time into that decision after haveing some sort of beard or goatee forthe last 15 years. Tom and Pop rotated in and out. I notices after a week I was driving them crazy. I think though that is part of theprocess. When you are willing to get your butt of of the chair and do it your self you must be geting better. I will post pictures of the three of us in the dining room with the lap tops. It was hot so it was the stink tank.

So now Pop visits for a few days and Tom has moved to syracuse and is somewhere in wyoming with chillipepper. Maybe he is visiting dick cheneys home town? The side effect theatre is not showing as many features. Many of the meds have been reduced. The sugar problems are subsiding. Hopefully Iwill be off the insulin soon. It feels like it will take anoter month to be better but I am glad to be this far.

Well Iam hungry so I need to end this...I am thankful to my big sister for being her and a three point match, to Mot, Pop, Lizzy for the unbelievable support, for the ones who supported them, for the drawings from my daughter and neices and nephews and for all the cards, thoughts and prayers from y'all.

Fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy tonight because I can. Life's a dinner. Make something you love.

Jimmy

Room with a view

Cathy and Jim went in to Strong Hospital early Wednesday morning for kidney transplant surgery. The 5[?] hour surgery went fairly smoothly and Jim and Cathy were both in recovery by Wednesday evening. Kristin and Dad came to Rochester to spend a couple of days here to help out at the hospital while I helped out in Livonia shuttling Thomas and Elizabeth to help out their dad.
- That first day in the waiting room seemed to go on forever so we kept taking little walks around the lobby area. I stopped into the gift shop to keep myself distracted and started looking at the little votives with people's names on them. Each one had a person's name and what it meant. So I looked for my sister's name and it said: CATHERINE "Your fearless attitude gives you strength" and I couldn't help but think...it should say "Your fearless attititude gives Everyone strength"!! I know she's not comfortable with people saying she's a hero...but she certainly is mine and everyone in my family. - Kristin

The day after surgery, everything looked fairly good and the family was relieved that the worst seemed to be over. However, after visiting hours on Thursday, things seemed to hit a few bumps with both Cathy and Jim over the course of the evening. The family felt a little more careful staff attention / family supervision would have prevented some of the issues that popped up and decided that a family member should be present at all times.
I made a quick call to a friend who works in a different part of the hospital and he immediately concurred with our decision. [ which in itself was a bit unsettling..]
SO, starting Friday, Kristin, Dad and myself took turns making sure someone was with Jim and Cathy at almost all times. Joe brought Elizabeth and Thomas in for visits during the evenings.

- I read in a post on Living Donors Online about having someone with you 24/7. What it didn't explain is how much it means emotionally to wake up in the middle of the night through the pain killer fog and see your sister sleeping in chair with her head on the foot of your bed. Or your brother's face illuminated by his Mac type, type, typing away. Or to feel your Dad's hand on your head because he has to make sure there's no fever and tell you that you that you are doing a good job. I needed to know that Jim was ok during that time and they could tell me so I could go back to sleep. Having Dad, Mot and Kristin at the hospital also meant that Joe could be home with the kids, so I didn't have to worry that they were ok. This was a team effort. I got stitches, Jim got a kidney, but I can't imagine doing it with out the rest of my family backing us up at every turn. - Cathy

- I think the nursing staff there might have thought us a little odd being there around the clock. I know I freaked one of the nurses right out. He didn't know I was in Cathy's room and when he came in to check on her roommate I tiptoed out the door behind him to make less commotion in the room. He thought I was Cathy walking in the dark behind him!! After he started breathing again I told him I was just making sure he was alert at 2 am....I'm not sure he appreciated it much!! I have to say it was fun playing Cathy's stunt double there in the hospital. It's not just a little fun to mess with people's heads. - Kristin

















We put Chilipepper on the top of the parking ramp right across from Cathy's window and used it as a late night nap room. :O) Quite the view!

- Cathy has it right..we are a team and one I'm so grateful to be on. The night of surgery Dad and I were walking out of the hospital around 10:30 or so. We were still worried about Jimmy down in recovery and Cathy just getting settled in her room. It had been such a long day and I know we weren't sure if we should leave or not. We came into the lobby of this enormous place and an announcement came on the loud speaker....."Murray family....please come to the lobby...Murray family..." It just so happens that Murray is my mother's maiden name. Now.....you could say that was coincidental and meaningless. Of all the names to be paged, of all the times they could have been paged at that moment.... I choose to believe that it was my Mom telling us she had the night covered and she'd watch over Cathy and Jim for us. Anyone who knew my Mom KNOWS she wasn't going to be left out of it!! Like I said, I'm so grateful to be on this team! -Kristin

Staff attention improved towards the end of the weekend and Cathy was discharged Sunday afternoon. By Monday, it looked like Jim was getting satisfactory care and we stopped the round the clock watch. Jim's condition improved steadily during the week as Dad and I took turns coming in to visit him during the beginning of the week. Jim's condition was definitely on an upswing by mid week as his sarcasm returned to nearly its full color. [ Our family's native tongue BTW...] Jim was discharged Friday afternoon and began recuperating at home with the help of Dad for the weekend. Jim and I are at his house this week talking about row house architecture and having blood sugar competitions. Lots of friends and relatives continue to send nice cards and well wishes. They are appreciated. - Tom

The fleet goes camping

Just before the surgery day, Cathy brought Elizabeth and Thomas down to Stony Brook Park to meet me for some day camping. The Prato's did a breakfast cooking demonstration featuring scrambled eggs in Ziplock bags. Mmmmm Mmmm. A fun day. We spent a good part of the day wandering in Stony Brook to beat the heat.

Aunt Catherine's Jubilee

The Loud family headed down to Scranton Sunday to attend Aunt Catherine's 60th jubilee. Marywood hosted a very nice mass and afterwards - a reception was held. We hung out with a buddy of Aunt Catherines -Sr. Fideles at the reception and had a very good time. - Mot

AC has some pull with the higher ups because she held off the blizzard til we got there. She was SO happy to see us as always. The mass was held at her new residence Our Lady of Peace Residence and was very touching. All the sisters together is just about the closest you'll hear to angels singing! The priest gave a lovely talk about how it's the parents who made them the people they are. People of service and faith. All of us were choked up thinking about the goodness of Grandma and Grandpa. What wonderful parents and grandparents!

There were 18 sisters celebrating 60,65,70,75 and even one 80 years of service. We could only imagine the stories these amazing ladies could tell! They had 1,285 years of service combined! - Kristin







































The reception was done in true Marywood style.....5 course meal served by other sisters complete with two wine fountains! Too bad about that long drive home hahaha - Kristin












The kids are always a highlight for AC and she enjoyed eating with Grace, Carolyn, James and Anna. We are proud to say she had the biggest contingent of all the sisters (and the LOUDEST) In her humble way she kept saying "Is this all for ME??!!" - Kristin























Aunt Catherine's buddy is Sister Fideles and she's with me in this last photo.
She started the noviciate with AC and so is part of her "band". Sr. Fideles visits her every day and was happy to report that AC is the happiest soul and loves to tell stories of her family and growing up. Sr. Fideles also told us stories of Uncle Gerard coming to visit in his Knickers :) - Kristin

Christmas Visit with Aunt Catherine

Today we drove down to see Aunt Catherine. Anna, Mot, Mom and I went to see her. She just moved into her new building. It's very big and realistic. They call the main hall Main Street. On Main street, there is a cafe - that we got fries for the road. Main street also had a hair salon. We talked to aunt catherine about how much movies cost. Aunt Catherine said it was 15 cents to go see a movie. And they used to go to the Irving to go see movies. When Aunt Catherine was a kid, they did not have alot of money but they had a good time. Pop thought that they were going to camp all summer, but really they were living in the tent. They picked blueberries and took baths in the lake. Grandpa Myers got paid $15 a week from the WPA.

Grandma Hildebrant bought seed for them to plant a garden up on Finch Hill. They had corn, potatoes, squash, green beans and tomatoes. Grandma bakes 20 loaves a week. We brought down my new art kit that I got for Christmas. Aunt Catherine really liked it! Aunt Catherine said they got crayons, new pencils and coloring books to draw in. We drew pictures for Aunt Catherine to hang in her room while we visited. I drew a Hibiscus that you can only find in Hawaii. Anna drew a Christmas wreath and I also drew a Christmas tree. Mommy and Anna drew the whole group of us visiting with Aunt Catherine. After we were finished drawing, we took a tour of the new place.
We saw the physical therapy room, the chapel and the parlor. I liked the physical therapy place the best. I think I want to work there when I grow up. The whole place was decorated for Christmas all pretty. Aunt Catherine was very very happy to see us. She showed us her pictures and here Christmas cards from the school and family. - Carolyn

Party at Mot's

The Rochester-based Myers crew stopped over last night for some pizza and party left overs. Cathy, Elizabeth and Thomas came in from Livonia and Jim and Grace also came. It looks now like we will all be together for Christmas Day down in Owego at Pop's and Kristin's house. I am bringing a DVD based family game called "Shout Out" [ go figure...] Poor neighbors.

We also got to take Pop's old American Flyer for a few laps around the tree!

Air Harry

Air Harry Makes Maiden Flight

Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006 (LoudFamilyPress)

The first flight of the Air Harry Express Cross Country Delivery Service successfully completed the first of many missions to the Tri-Cities Airport this afternoon. Clear skies and virtually no winds made this flight quite enjoyable based on reports by pilot-in-training/CEO, Joseph Prato. Based in Dansville or Middlesex, depending on runway conditions, this new service offers delivery of sibling goods in a very timely fashion. Despite a little compass glitch and a cranky controller in Elmira, it is evident from photographs that this flight was highly successful. Its first cargo included cheese popcorn from Livonia Boy Scout Troop 174 bound for the Felice family and a little green coat for Grace of the Myers family. Both customers expressed delight in the prompt service and plan to continue to support AHECCDS. The flight was greeted by local celebrity, Pop. Better known across the state as Democratic Chairman and the man to go to a convention with, Art Myers graciously offered to make the final delivery to Crestwood Road. This fabulous event and momentous occasion was photographed by both Art Myers and James P. Myers.







THE 1946 Cessna flagship, completely restored by the CEO, with help from many friends. Hey,
did you lose your wheelpants, Joe?










Service with Smile. Good thing there's a windshield, or he'd have bugs stuck on his teeth.








Time for a little pre-flight with Instructor, Brian Swanson.






Off into the wild blue yonder! Headed back to homebase at Dansville. Hey, Joe! You forgot the girlscout cookies from Carolyn --- or did you?

Meet Sean Quinn

Cousins Kelly and Stan Quinn are new parents! Here are some pics of their new son Sean. Congratulations to the family!

A day at Strong Museum for Kids

The Felice's and the Prato's came into Rochester today and Eric and I accompanied them to the new butterfly exhibit at Strong Museum downtown.















The museum has considerable exhibits and sets for kids to play with, including a full Sesame Street set, a Wegmans grocery store in miniature and an historic restaurant kitchen thingy that the nieces seem to gravitate to.
















Eric and I failed in our efforts to pull a "Hansel and Gretel" on any unsuspecting children.


















Next time, I think a bag of M&M's in the back of the oven will do the trick.











The nephews giving their "thumbs up" to the "dinner".





































Cathy and Kristin in the Butterfly house















Afterwards, everyone indulged Uncle Mot and we all went to Plum Garden for hibachi show and dinner! Complete with flaming onion volcanoes and the chef throwing rice in everyone's mouth. [Except Mot - who just got pegged on the chest..]






Of course - I forgot to mention that the restaurant was the handy work of the architect brother as well. Love the doors Jim!

Anna's first day of Kindergarten

The Felice household has just gotten really quiet. Anna headed off with her brother and sister on the big yellow bus for Kindergarten. I guess the prom is right around the corner.....

On the Road - in South West Pennsylvania

Cathy, Thomas and Elizabeth are in Pennsylvania this week. Elizabeth is attending Camp Chihopi -a summer camp for kids who are transplant recipients. Meanwhile Cathy and Thomas are hanging out nearby doing some camping with Chilipepper and seeing the sites.






















Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water

Let's Go Hiking in the Adirondacks!

So....
because Elizabeth is at camp and HATES to hike, Thomas and I decide it would be a good time to go to the Adirondacks to check out the high peaks (there are 46). I talk to my good friend Rinda (who could win Survivor hands down and has climbed 37) about where to go. I was not comfortable making this attempt on our own, so we hijack Rinda and head to Mt. Colden.

Mt. Colden : 4,714 feet
Ascent of climb 2,850 ft
# 11 on the tall peak list
Round Trip: 15.2 miles
Weather Forecast - Chance of scattered showers

We leave Livonia in Mot's VW Westie, Chilipepper, and arrive at Rinda's Aunt's camp on the Schoon River and stay overnight. We get to the Adirondack Loj and starting our big adventure around 9 am.

1st stop Mt. Marcy Dam

Snacks are good - wait I thought you knew where to go, Rinda! (just kidding!)

Follow the trail ....

Climbing higher...

Next stop Arnold Lake
and some of those "scattered showers"

Keep climbing, keep raining....

Cool Alpine Vegetation

At 2:20 we reached the Summit! No views, just rain :(



On the way down, we sat out of the rain under the rock ledge.



View of Mt. Colden from the one of the false peaks.
Notice the sun trying to break through - it gave up after a few minutes.

Thomas finds a friend who doesn't seem to mind being soaked.


We wanted to be off the trail by dark, so we continued back down. We were about as wet as wet can be without actually swimming. The rain made the trail more muddy and slippery. We should have taken pictures of:

• pouring water out of boots
• wringing out socks
• Thomas slopping straight through the pools of water in the last 1/2 mile
• walking through the parking lot with dry clothes under Mot's rainbow beach umbrella
• Thomas and I saying "ow, ow, ow" with every step through the lodge
  

but it was too wet to get the camera back out. We made to to the parking lot at 6:50.

Good thing for Chilipepper! We didn't even pop the top to sleep. We got in our sleeping bags and ate apples and cheese for dinner, listening to the rain keep falling. I think we were all asleep by 8:15.
Rinda is a good friend to have dealt with us "Newbies" out on the trail.
Definitely an adventure to remember!