Things are plugging along here at St.Paul’s. Arrangements have started today to look into whether the proposed pain control plan will be feasible in PR; this will likely take some time. When things are set up, the aim is for Joey to be transferred back to Powell River hospital for what will hopefully amount to only a couple of days, then head home for rezeal. That is the goal, but we are trying not to get too psyched about it before it is actually reality. Tough not too get your hopes up though.

So far, today has been pretty low key. Had a couple of different visitors the last little while, including our friend Josh, who Joey went to Camosun with and our friend Jesse (he puts the Roper in “The Roper Show”), who just got back from doing a music tour across Canada. We were honoured to be the final stop on the tour and I was even more honoured to be given a ride home in his creepy white van. Beats walking!

K & J

Things have been going okayish the last few days. Finally used some free tickets we had to see stand up comedy. It was very funny. Can’t remember the last time we’ve been able to get out and do anything on a Friday night, so it was extra fun and very much appreciated.

On the progress front, nothing too much is happening. There was talk of Joey being able to go home in the next couple of weeks with his new equipment, so we are obviously very eager for that to happen. Unfortunately, there have been a few medication errors that have set things back 5-6 days, so that’s frustrating (his pump was programmed incorrectly so that he was being underdosed. This was noticed on Friday night after his regular doc had gone home, then once you run into the weekend nothing much happens, so we have to wait until tomorrow and then likely start off where he was around Tuesday or Wednesday of last week. Argh. But hey, better to be underdosed than overdosed). At least the hope is still that home is in the cards at some point.

Have had a busy Sunday and Joey has passed out in his chair while watching golf. Not much different from a normal Sunday at home. Managed to make it out for lunch and had a visit with Ed, Debbie, Nikki and Kria as they passed through town.

 Sat out at the park; good people watching by St.Paul’s. Saw some kind of TV spot getting filmed, interacted with a group of people who were slightly inebriated, and laughed at the antics of dogs as they went on their daily walks. It’s good to be outside.

K & J

Just wanted to thank those of you who attempted to provide inspiration/advice re: the fanny pack. We found the following feedback particularly amusing.

“If the Hulk can do it, Joey can do it”:

No he can’t Brendan. No he can’t.

This one speaks for itself:

The crop top is a nice touch, but again, we are in need of a time machine. Or a nudie beach. Or both.

So far, the winning suggestion is to conceal it with a giant belt buckle. Unfortunately, the only hope of this going unnoticed would be if we moved to Alberta, which doesn’t seem to be in the cards.

Any other ideas?

K & J

Had a busy day today. Busted Joey out of hospital for a couple of hours to attend an orientation session at Friends for Life, a non-profit society that offers services for people with life threatening illnesses. They offer all kinds of free stuff (massage, acupuncture, coffee, etc) to members. That’s pretty cool. Hopefully Joey will feel good enough to take advantage of some of the services while we’re down here.

Afterwards, we went back to the hospital where Joey was once again hooked up to his IV. The pain control tactic has changed now so that he is hooked up pretty much all of the time. The docs are now thinking that if he goes home, it will likely be with some form of equipment that will hook up to his PICC line so that he can deliver pain med to himself. This means that he will have to pack the equipment around with him all the time. To be honest, Joey’s not too happy about that prospect, but at least it might mean that he can go home eventually. He was particularly unimpressed that it was suggested that he could get a fanny pack to carry around whatever equipment he’s packing. Basically, he is only okay with this if he is also provided with a time machine. I have the next best thing:

Solidarity in bad 80s clothes! We’re bringing back the fanny pack! Except that we’re not. No matter how you slice it, you still look lame.

Moving on: Joey Jeremiah also got to have a quick visit with our friends Brenda, Derek, and Darby Small. Brenda is another Powellriverite who had a double lung transplant at the beginning of June. She is doing well; we’re really happy about that. We also got to have a visit with Shelley and Jas. What a rockin’ day. Too bad I’m finishing it off by doing laundry.

Night-night!

K

We saw a movie and laughed our butts off. Joey fell asleep in some parts, but that will make it all the more exciting when it comes out on DVD.

K & J

Something actually happened today. We had an appointment with the liver doc that referred Joey for liver transplant in the first place. He still thinks that Joey needs a transplant, but is concerned about their ability to control Joey’s pain after his operation, if it were to take place. He recommended that we make an appointment to see the liver transplant team to talk about it. Unfortunately, the earliest that meeting would take place is in September. That said, it gives us at least another month to try other methods of pain control.  So I guess it will be more of the same for a while yet.

We were hoping to go and see a movie to have some kind of positive distraction after the appointment, but Joey felt pukey, so we came back to the hospital instead. (Insert melancholy violin music).

K & J

I am back in Van. The dream team is reunited!

In Joey health news: still working on the bowel blockage issue, but he looks more like his slim jim self and less like the comic book guy. Missed him a lot.

PR was fun. Did some seriously condensed visiting (those who I didn’t get to see hope to see you soon), did a day trip to Savary which was fun by the tonne, did some serious sewing, and tried to chill out at home. Last night and this morn Joey and I visited with Rebecca, went to a bit of the pride parade, and napped like the couple of sloths we are.

And on that note: goodnight!

Kirstin

I hear there isn’t much news in the Couv. Yaya came for a visit and is staying at the hospital tonight. I’ve been spending my days trying to sleep, get in some visits while I’m in PR, and force Joey to enter radio contests. I love it when he humors me.

K

Bowels and pain control still need work. But he managed to make it out to a movie tonight. Yeah for fun!

While Renee is in Van, I popped back to PR. Have been laying low with the exception of a day trip to Savary. Felt the need to condense my entire summer into one day. Vitamin D is good.

Kirstin

Still working on the bowels. Now his ankles are swollen too. Poor Joey!

Had a quick visit from the Clearwater crew. Much fun was had. Dinner with Mack, Kelt, Emma (and Poppa Randy, Kelvin, April and Momma R):

Joey working it with Keltie’s umbrella:

Keltie and Uncle J:

Mack and Uncle J:

You’re a tiger!

You are too!

This one not so sure. But thanks for coming out!

K & J