Look Who's 18 Months Old

Yes, I know, his 18 month mark was 16 days ago, but I'm sure you understand that I'm just now getting there. This was his first appointment with his new doctor and we love her. I didn't know at the time we choose her that she worships with us. What a score! She was quick to ask if we were promoting him to the new Sunday school class because she is the teacher and doesn't have any kids. So cute! Anyway he is 34 inches tall which is 90th%, weighs 28 lbs 9 oz (75th%) and his head circumference is 97th%. Yes, he's tall like Boomer and has a big head like me. Oh well, not 1/2 bad, right? He's right on with everything and took his shots well. The most interesting thing was the questionnaire I had to fill out about his development and autism signs. Scary stuff. If it's not the vaccinations, then what is it? The preservatives in our foods? drugs in our water? What are we doing to our children?

6th Picture in my 6th Folder

This is from our trip to the fair last year. Boomer, Grant and Asa are in the 4th basket from the top. I am safely on the ground. Okay, Amy, there you go! btw ... this was when I saw Jennifer, Barry and their handyman friend from Heritage House at the fair.

Now I tag Wendy, Donna and Susan! Okay girls, please post the 6th picture in the 6th folder.

Our Papa

Willis Hunt Castner II

Willis "Bill" Hunt Castner II passed away Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008, in Arlington after a brief illness.

Service: 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in Moore Memorial Chapel. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers: Charles Bean, Jimmy Ragan, John Reed, David Maynard, Jeff Weatherford and Anthony Tobar.

Bill was born March 27, 1933. He was a retired captain in the U.S. Navy with 30 years of service. He also retired from Vought Aircraft after 30 years, was a teacher at Texas Wesleyan University with 19 years of service and an active Realtor/broker with 20 years of service. Bill earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Texas and his master's degree from TCU.

Survivors: Wife of 31 years, Nita; three daughters; six grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

Here's an Update from Mom & a little from me

"His white count is down a little, still giving him Procrit for his red blood cells, which are marginal/normal per nurse. Just spoke to the doctor, he is not any worse today, his x-ray maybe a hair better, IV drugs are insulin & tobermycin & sedation meds, test results are not back yet on Wed or Thurs Tests. He'll call me if there is any test results today or if he needs me. His B/P is better, they are giving him meds for that also."

We're fixin' to leave. That "fixin'" is special for my father because he always made fun of that southern word.

The boys and I watched Pollyanna this week. I am playing the glad game as much as possible. :)

Blood Counts

They have Bill on blood thinner to reduce clotting, but it was making his red blood cell count go down, so they had to take him off it. Of course, that's concerning due to the possibility of a pulmonary embolism or other clot forming. The good news is that his red blood count is going back up. Now we were told that his white blood cell count is going up which is a sign of infection. The Hematologist is concerned about MDS so they want to do a bone marrow biopsy. Mother is waiting for the Pulmonologist's opinion to give her consent. We are going up again this weekend. Please continue to pray for his healing, mother's strength and our safe travel.

Heading Home

It's Sunday afternoon and I've just gotten back from the hospital. I spoke to his Pulmonologist and he is optimistic. Bill's blood gasses are improving, they have lowered his O2 level and he is breathing over the vent. The x-rays aren't showing any improvement, but he said that's not unusual. He said it took him 4 weeks of medicine to get here and expects it to take at least twice as long to get better. He is not out of the woods yet. Please keep sending the prayers up so he can get off this vent soon! Also, continued prayers for mom to stay strong. Thanks to all of you it is very appreciated.

Bill Update

Well mom got a call from the hospital yesterday afternoon from the doctors saying Bill was fighting them so much they were afraid he was going to have a heart attack or stroke. He was even refusing to take his medicine by hiding them under his tongue! So, they put him asleep and on a ventilator. We got here about 6pm yesterday evening, took the kids to dinner and then went up to the hospital. Of course there was nothing to see, no one to visit, just the body of a man who was finally relaxing. Please pray for my mother's peace with this decision and for his body to heal enough for him to be able to get off the vent in the next couple of days.

Going Up Again

Well, we're heading back up to stay with my mom and visit my father in ICU for the weekend. He is pitching some serious fits still ... not a good patient. He has been in ICU a week today and his x-rays still show no improvement. He is still responding to the medicine and weening off of the bi-pap machine down to just the nose cannula and small oxygen mask, but is getting so weak. He doesn't like their bi-pap machine and keeps trying to take it off! But it's what he needs so he's going to have to adjust to it. Unfortunately. I'm looking forward to seeing him for myself so I can see how he's doing without having to hear about it from someone else. Mom is really excited to see the boys and I'm thankful that Boomer is coming with us so I don't have to do the driving or handle all of this alone. I'll update you in a couple of days. Please pray for his lungs to clear, him to be cooperative and for God to speak to his heart.