Monday, June 30, 2008
Update
Rita's expected arrival date is this Sunday.
Mom was assigned homework by her physical therapist to have a "non-stressful out-of-the-house" experience. If she and Dad feel okay after her current doctor appointment, they are going to call us and we will meet them for frozen yogurt at Derek's favorite store--the kind where you put on all your own candy toppings, then pay by the weight of your sundae.
We had a lovely 40th anniversary party for my parents last night, with designer m&m's in their wedding colors with their names on them. Mom was up more than usual and the pain in her head is subsiding. Unfortunately the two new screws still need tightened....yuck. Today has been emotional, but the smoke has finally cleared and my mom walked next door to practice stairs, her longest walk in two months!!!!
Mom was assigned homework by her physical therapist to have a "non-stressful out-of-the-house" experience. If she and Dad feel okay after her current doctor appointment, they are going to call us and we will meet them for frozen yogurt at Derek's favorite store--the kind where you put on all your own candy toppings, then pay by the weight of your sundae.
We had a lovely 40th anniversary party for my parents last night, with designer m&m's in their wedding colors with their names on them. Mom was up more than usual and the pain in her head is subsiding. Unfortunately the two new screws still need tightened....yuck. Today has been emotional, but the smoke has finally cleared and my mom walked next door to practice stairs, her longest walk in two months!!!!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
The Halo Story, by Bob and Sue Ramsay
Once upon a time, there were two couples Janet and Brian and Sue and Bob who were the best of friends. Brian and Janet were renowned for their keen sense of fashion.
One day Janet decided to try a new fashion style called the “Halo”. It was remarkable. Soon word started to get out about this stunning new accessory that not only looked very haute couture but was the latest in techno-fashion. Everyone knew she was an angel, and this confirmed it.
Bob and Sue were not happy. Janet had made a fashion leap, and they felt left behind and wanted one too. They got their own Halos, and loved them.
Everyone noticed them, and they got the best seats at restaurants and events. Plus, the reception was great. They could pull in hundreds of channels, and they were also able to participate in the SETI project. As Bob and Sue were also considered cutting edge fashion plates, word started to get around. Of course, movie stars were the first to adopt the new fad.
and it became a sex symbol...
...that caught the attention of people in high places.
"hmm, I hope this chick magnet works"
It also restarted some acting careers.
Naturally, politicians wanted to ride the tide, thinking a Halo would impress super delegates.
It even reunited old friends...
...and families.
The idea was transported overseas by a pilot...
...where the Halo was such a success, the inventor was knighted.
In Great Britain it was called the “Keeper of the Royal Perm”
Unfortunately, a controversy arose when a certain Governor got one--thinking this would surely qualify him to run for president.
The Supreme Court got involved and ruled eight to one against the Guv, after personally checking them out. (One justice thought it was a Democratic plot).
"Doesn’t look like 'strict construction' to me!"
One day Janet decided to try a new fashion style called the “Halo”. It was remarkable. Soon word started to get out about this stunning new accessory that not only looked very haute couture but was the latest in techno-fashion. Everyone knew she was an angel, and this confirmed it.
Bob and Sue were not happy. Janet had made a fashion leap, and they felt left behind and wanted one too. They got their own Halos, and loved them.
Everyone noticed them, and they got the best seats at restaurants and events. Plus, the reception was great. They could pull in hundreds of channels, and they were also able to participate in the SETI project. As Bob and Sue were also considered cutting edge fashion plates, word started to get around. Of course, movie stars were the first to adopt the new fad.
and it became a sex symbol...
...that caught the attention of people in high places.
"hmm, I hope this chick magnet works"
It also restarted some acting careers.
Naturally, politicians wanted to ride the tide, thinking a Halo would impress super delegates.
It even reunited old friends...
...and families.
The idea was transported overseas by a pilot...
...where the Halo was such a success, the inventor was knighted.
In Great Britain it was called the “Keeper of the Royal Perm”
Unfortunately, a controversy arose when a certain Governor got one--thinking this would surely qualify him to run for president.
The Supreme Court got involved and ruled eight to one against the Guv, after personally checking them out. (One justice thought it was a Democratic plot).
"Doesn’t look like 'strict construction' to me!"
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Gigi does play-dough with Derek
Not the greatest day for Gigi today. She was excited for her orthotics appointment, where she thought she was just going to get a strip of plastic cut off the bottom of her back brace. This has been digging into her thighs and makes it so painful she has to lie down more than otherwise necessary. So, yay, she gets it cut off and then they tell her....oh yeah, we're just going to tighten these screws into your head a bit.... ugh. Anyways, they end up in the Sacramento ER with the neurosurgeon to get two new screws and all four tightened. A nurse came in the room and said "What's this all over the floor?" Of course my mom had felt the blood running down her head but was in total denial. However, having dinner on the table when they walked/rolled in the door plus numerous art projects did seem to cheer her up.
We all seem to be on a wierd emotional roller coaster. My mom isn't waking up too much at night, so we're not really over-tired, but just all being together again and missing out on all the plans we had for Montana, I don't know. Someone needs to invent some kind of thermometer we could wear on our foreheads with a scale ranging from "You're my soul mate to I'm going to bite your head off" I'm sure we could make a million and save relationships around the world.
More Rita
Pictures sent from Todd Adams, the Challis Messenger reporter who stopped to visit Rita. There is sure a lot of cat-love in Challis, which Rita seems more than happy to return!!
Forgot to mention, she is about 2 pounds lighter but supposedly the vet is only feeding her wet food, lucky her! Also, I printed out a 5x7 of Rita and the vet tech (see yesterday's post) and showed it to Sylvia who rubbed on it and then laid down on it. Awwww.....
Rita
The follow up article was published today in The Messenger:
http://www.challismessenger.com/index.php?accnum=story-10-20080626
Rita the cat found alive and well this week
BY TODD ADAMS
Rita the cat, who had been missing since she fled the scene of a May 1 car accident, was found alive and well June 23.
Although there won't be an "Incredible Journey" cross- country trip home to California for Rita, owners Janet and Brian Hansen are calling the indoor cat's survival over the past two months "our family's second miracle."
The first is that Janet is slowly but surely progressing toward a full recovery from severe injuries that she suffered in the rollover wreck.
"We just can't believe it, after two months" Janet told The Challis Messenger Monday morning, soon after Rita was found. "Wow. We're just blown away."
Daughter Jill Hansen-Twardoski explained that Rita has been "100 percent a house cat" all her life. Up until her Idaho adventure, Rita's closest contact with wildlife had been watching the bird feeder from the window of the Hansen's suburban home.
"We just cried," tears of joy and relief, when Rita was found safe and sound, Janet said. "It seems silly ? she's just one domestic cat ? but she's family.
"It was a miracle. Everyone in Challis has just been wonderful."
Rita's disappearance had come to symbolize the loss, injury and trauma Janet suffered in the accident, husband Brian told The Messenger earlier this month.
Catch a cat
A truck driver spotted a cat along Highway 93 north of Challis a couple of weeks ago and thought nothing about it until he read an account of the missing cat in an issue of The Messenger. He then called the Hansens who asked Duane Wilson, Cottonwood Camp-ground host, to help. Wilson put out food and later friends of the family dropped off a live trap for him.
The traps did the trick. Wilson set them with smelly cat food, one near the accident scene and the second at the campground. Initially, visits from Rita or some other critter failed to trip the door closed, but Monday morning, Rita had finally been captured near the wreck site. She was perhaps a bit thin, but otherwise none the worse for wear.
The May Day car crash just south of Cottonwood Camp-ground had torn the passenger door off the Hansen's vehicle, through which a very frightened cat escaped. Rita's littermate, Silvia, had been in a cat carrier and was unharmed. Silvia returned home with Janet. The family hopes Rita can hitch a ride back to California with friends after the Independence Day holiday for an overdue reunion. In the meantime, she's hanging out at the Lone Pine Animal Hospital.
and the vet hospital sent us these current pix:
http://www.challismessenger.com/index.php?accnum=story-10-20080626
Rita the cat found alive and well this week
BY TODD ADAMS
Rita the cat, who had been missing since she fled the scene of a May 1 car accident, was found alive and well June 23.
Although there won't be an "Incredible Journey" cross- country trip home to California for Rita, owners Janet and Brian Hansen are calling the indoor cat's survival over the past two months "our family's second miracle."
The first is that Janet is slowly but surely progressing toward a full recovery from severe injuries that she suffered in the rollover wreck.
"We just can't believe it, after two months" Janet told The Challis Messenger Monday morning, soon after Rita was found. "Wow. We're just blown away."
Daughter Jill Hansen-Twardoski explained that Rita has been "100 percent a house cat" all her life. Up until her Idaho adventure, Rita's closest contact with wildlife had been watching the bird feeder from the window of the Hansen's suburban home.
"We just cried," tears of joy and relief, when Rita was found safe and sound, Janet said. "It seems silly ? she's just one domestic cat ? but she's family.
"It was a miracle. Everyone in Challis has just been wonderful."
Rita's disappearance had come to symbolize the loss, injury and trauma Janet suffered in the accident, husband Brian told The Messenger earlier this month.
Catch a cat
A truck driver spotted a cat along Highway 93 north of Challis a couple of weeks ago and thought nothing about it until he read an account of the missing cat in an issue of The Messenger. He then called the Hansens who asked Duane Wilson, Cottonwood Camp-ground host, to help. Wilson put out food and later friends of the family dropped off a live trap for him.
The traps did the trick. Wilson set them with smelly cat food, one near the accident scene and the second at the campground. Initially, visits from Rita or some other critter failed to trip the door closed, but Monday morning, Rita had finally been captured near the wreck site. She was perhaps a bit thin, but otherwise none the worse for wear.
The May Day car crash just south of Cottonwood Camp-ground had torn the passenger door off the Hansen's vehicle, through which a very frightened cat escaped. Rita's littermate, Silvia, had been in a cat carrier and was unharmed. Silvia returned home with Janet. The family hopes Rita can hitch a ride back to California with friends after the Independence Day holiday for an overdue reunion. In the meantime, she's hanging out at the Lone Pine Animal Hospital.
and the vet hospital sent us these current pix:
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Not much new...
We are hit in waves how awesome it will be to get Rita home, although it seems surreal most of the time. Our friends Sylvia and Don will be driving back to Davis from Hamilton over the July 4th weekend and have agreed to pick up Rita and bring her home. We can't wait for her to tell us her story....plus what two days in a Tahoe with an Akita are like!
Mom is doing amazing. As we say around here: No one can wallow in self pity around such cute kids. She is doing arts and crafts with them every day (thanks Elaine) plus sitting in the back yard watching the kids in the inflatable pool every afternoon. She is awesome, unbelievable compared to how I left her in Idaho. We left her alone for 35 minutes today and she says she is ready for a couple hours alone. This is really, really big!
Mom, Dad, and Elaine are headed to the leg/hip doc this afternoon. We're switching to a light weight wheelchair so Mom can get around better on the carpet. We're returning the walker--no need! Well, don't think I'm just sitting around blogging in the backyard in the California sunshine--ok, I am--but I am staying busy. While my folks are gone today the kids and I will vacuum and take naps and get ready for dinner and start a tracking system for all the health insurance expenses.
Mom has an appointment in the first week of August for a CT scan and then an evaluation to see if she can get the halo off. It can't come soon enough for her! She loves to hear from everyone, so keep the phone calls, cards, and emails coming!!
Mom is doing amazing. As we say around here: No one can wallow in self pity around such cute kids. She is doing arts and crafts with them every day (thanks Elaine) plus sitting in the back yard watching the kids in the inflatable pool every afternoon. She is awesome, unbelievable compared to how I left her in Idaho. We left her alone for 35 minutes today and she says she is ready for a couple hours alone. This is really, really big!
Mom, Dad, and Elaine are headed to the leg/hip doc this afternoon. We're switching to a light weight wheelchair so Mom can get around better on the carpet. We're returning the walker--no need! Well, don't think I'm just sitting around blogging in the backyard in the California sunshine--ok, I am--but I am staying busy. While my folks are gone today the kids and I will vacuum and take naps and get ready for dinner and start a tracking system for all the health insurance expenses.
Mom has an appointment in the first week of August for a CT scan and then an evaluation to see if she can get the halo off. It can't come soon enough for her! She loves to hear from everyone, so keep the phone calls, cards, and emails coming!!
Monday, June 23, 2008
RITA'S FOUND AND ALIVE!!!!!!!!
The tears of joy are flowing in Roseville today. I can hardly type... I can hear both my mom and dad on different phones telling the story of "the phone call".
Last week, my parents' friends Sylvia and Don drove two cat traps up to Challis from Roseville. The campground host, Duane, at Cottonwood campground near the crash site was willing to put the traps out and check them every day. He put one at the campground and one at the crash site. We got the call from him this morning that Rita was caught, still with her collar and harness, and he would take her to the vet clinic where Sylvia (the cat) had stayed. We are now in the process of figuring out how to get her home!!!
We have so many people to thank, she would not be coming home if it wasn't for them. All the wonderful people of Challis, especially Duane and Todd (who wrote the article). When Sylvia and Don drove through they would say to someone "We want to put up a poster about a lost cat." and invariably the person would answer "Oh, you mean Rita?" The mystery person who saw Rita a couple weeks ago and then called because he saw the article, really kept the hope alive and renewed our efforts to find her with the traps. Sylvia and Don for the driving and the effort with the traps--and we know that you are dog people, not really cat people!! :) And for Eileen's wonderful idea to push for the article in the paper and contacting Todd. Such a big THANK YOU to everyone who helped spread the word and keep the hope alive.
Losing her was so emotional for my parents that they had given up. I'm so glad that we could be here to share their joy today!!!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Challis connection!
My parents got a neat phone call today from an old neighbor from the late 1980's (Thrush Road). Turns out she is originally from Challis, still subscribes to the paper, and read the article about Rita. As my mom described it, she was thinking as she read it: "Janet Hansen, ha that's funny. Brian Hansen, wow that's crazy. Jill and Amy, WHAT???? It's gotta be the same Hansens!"
Monday, June 16, 2008
July calendar
Hello all.
With my mom being able to shuffle around a bit, my parents will not be needing many overnight guests any more, although out-of-towners will always be welcome to stay at my folks' house. My dad has taken over "calendar" duties, so if you can visit during July please call or email him. bandjhansen@comcast.net or 916-772-7986 (home) or 916-420-2303 (Brian's cell)
The kids and I will be in California with my parents from Sunday, June 22nd through Monday, July 7th. They will be looking for 2-4 hour visits on various days of the week after that, with an occasional overnight stay.
Plans are shaping up for the ongoing search for Rita. A family friend, who lives in Davis and vacations in Hamilton, Montana, offered to either look for Rita or drop off live cat-traps in Challis as they drive through later this week. Thank you Sylvia and Don! The traps would allow a local person to set out food and check the traps every day or so to see if she came in to eat. Animal lovers who have never seen a live trap need not worry, they are very safe and the little door just closes behind the animal with no possibility of injury. So now begins the mad scramble to find two live cat traps by tomorrow around noon.
With my mom being able to shuffle around a bit, my parents will not be needing many overnight guests any more, although out-of-towners will always be welcome to stay at my folks' house. My dad has taken over "calendar" duties, so if you can visit during July please call or email him. bandjhansen@comcast.net or 916-772-7986 (home) or 916-420-2303 (Brian's cell)
The kids and I will be in California with my parents from Sunday, June 22nd through Monday, July 7th. They will be looking for 2-4 hour visits on various days of the week after that, with an occasional overnight stay.
Plans are shaping up for the ongoing search for Rita. A family friend, who lives in Davis and vacations in Hamilton, Montana, offered to either look for Rita or drop off live cat-traps in Challis as they drive through later this week. Thank you Sylvia and Don! The traps would allow a local person to set out food and check the traps every day or so to see if she came in to eat. Animal lovers who have never seen a live trap need not worry, they are very safe and the little door just closes behind the animal with no possibility of injury. So now begins the mad scramble to find two live cat traps by tomorrow around noon.
Monday email, typed by JANET!!!
Its Monday and here I am. Time is going fast and slow. There are lots of medical appointments butalso lots of calls, notes, and visitors. I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I got my cast off of my right arm on Thursday. After 6 weks of non use itdoesn't work well. I will need a lot of therapy. The hand doctor said thatthe big pin sticking out of my thumb had to come out and he took out a pairof pliers. He pulld it out without pain but I was sure nervous. I can usemy arm as much as I can. On wed I can put full weight on my leg but I amoften dizzy. Whats new. Brians cousin nael ame from washington state to help for a week. What alifesaver. Today elaine is coming. Wew bought a new white 08 honda accord on Friday. If I have help, I can getinto it. Brian had some time to work on his stamps this weekend. Enjoy the misspellings. Lqve, janet
Friday, June 13, 2008
Awesome news
My mom has had lots of good news from all her appointments this week. She is authorized to put up to 100 pounds of weight on her broken leg/hip for the next week, then she can put as much as is comfortable until she can walk normally! Wow! Also, her arm cast is off and she is allowed full range of motion with it. Her arm is not so happy about that, but I'm sure PT will help. After 6 more weeks or so the doc will evaluate her thumb (the pin is out now) to see if she needs another surgery. Soon she may be able to use a modified walker where she can support herself partially with her healing arm. She also saw some type of counselor, the official diagnosis so far is "wow, that was stressful!"
Today my dad was going to buy a new Honda Accord--with side air bags. He test drove it earlier this week and my mom can fit in the front seat with halo so they will be able to return the handicap van. Neal has been a lot of help to my parents--thanks so much. Now that my mom will be able to walk soon (fingers crossed) they will probably need more local friends stopping by for shorter time periods and not as many overnight visitors. My dad won't be so exhausted from getting up all night to help my mom. As soon as I get my act together and make my reservations to come down in late June/early July I think Elaine and my dad will be putting together the July calendar.
A bit of interesting news from Challis is that my dad received a call today that someone sighted a cat near the wreck site. We had a similar call when we were still in Idaho with no luck. If you'd like to read the article that Eileen got published in the Challis paper, check out http://www.challismessenger.com/index.php?accnum=story-2-20080612. Thanks, Eileen, for keeping the hope alive.
ps-The CF Walk was awesome, if a bit chilly. The D Team came in first place (yay, mom, for heading up the "kick butt" division from afar) and the walk raised over $55,500 this year. Last year was just $42,000. Imagine what next year will be like when I get my power volunteers back!!!
Today my dad was going to buy a new Honda Accord--with side air bags. He test drove it earlier this week and my mom can fit in the front seat with halo so they will be able to return the handicap van. Neal has been a lot of help to my parents--thanks so much. Now that my mom will be able to walk soon (fingers crossed) they will probably need more local friends stopping by for shorter time periods and not as many overnight visitors. My dad won't be so exhausted from getting up all night to help my mom. As soon as I get my act together and make my reservations to come down in late June/early July I think Elaine and my dad will be putting together the July calendar.
A bit of interesting news from Challis is that my dad received a call today that someone sighted a cat near the wreck site. We had a similar call when we were still in Idaho with no luck. If you'd like to read the article that Eileen got published in the Challis paper, check out http://www.challismessenger.com/index.php?accnum=story-2-20080612. Thanks, Eileen, for keeping the hope alive.
ps-The CF Walk was awesome, if a bit chilly. The D Team came in first place (yay, mom, for heading up the "kick butt" division from afar) and the walk raised over $55,500 this year. Last year was just $42,000. Imagine what next year will be like when I get my power volunteers back!!!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Anyone still checking?
For anyone who is still checking the blog, please help us out by planning to call my mom sometime this week. She has a lot of doctors' appointments she's nervous about and could use some cheerful phone calls from friends. Best times are (Pacific time) 10-12, 3-5, and 7-9.
If you know a friend who isn't checking the blog anymore, please pass the word along.
Thanks!
Amy
If you know a friend who isn't checking the blog anymore, please pass the word along.
Thanks!
Amy
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Doctor appointments
My mom has appointments set up with all the best doctors in the Roseville/Sacto area. Orthopaedic surgeon for her leg, cardiologist for her vena cava filter, hand surgeon for her thumb and arm, neurosurgeon for her neck and back, home health, visiting nurses, OT, PT, primary care doctor, and all the ones I forgot. She started her appointments yesterday (two successful home-van-office transfers! Yay Dad!)
They had dinner at their neighbors' house and Mom is busy thinking up all kinds of things for me to buy Derek and Anna, since she is doing only armchair shopping at the moment. The latest is a watch with an alarm and a family swim pass for the Hamilton pool this summer. Another project she is working on is advice for me, remembering kindergartners from the past...Derek was diagnosed with amblyopia yesterday and will need glasses and an eye patch for the forseeable future. I will try to remember to post a picture once he gets his "green ones".
They had dinner at their neighbors' house and Mom is busy thinking up all kinds of things for me to buy Derek and Anna, since she is doing only armchair shopping at the moment. The latest is a watch with an alarm and a family swim pass for the Hamilton pool this summer. Another project she is working on is advice for me, remembering kindergartners from the past...Derek was diagnosed with amblyopia yesterday and will need glasses and an eye patch for the forseeable future. I will try to remember to post a picture once he gets his "green ones".
Monday, June 2, 2008
Monday email!!
I'm safely home in the land of sunshine. I can't do much other than eat,sleep, and watch crummy tv shows but I'm better every day this week I havelots of doctor visits so I'll have more to tell then. Thanks for all yourlove and support. Love, janet
(Mom emailed this to me to post)
(Mom emailed this to me to post)
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