I had posted a link a while back with the live video stream focused on two bald eagles and their two babies. On the same site, there are numerous links to wildlife webcams. One of them is for Molly the Owl, who has become quite famous! Molly and her mate, McGee, are residents of an owl box in California. The box is on a pole 15 feet in the air and stationed in the yard of the Royal family. Carlos updates viewers from time to time on the little family. Molly and McGee had six eggs laid in February. One broke very early, one is a dud. The other four eggs have yielded four little owlets! Max, Pattison, Austin and Wesley are named for relatives of Carlos Royal (grandchildren, I believe).
Here's a closeup photo I took as a screenshot of Molly...she was checking out the camera just a little while ago. The video link is also below. Share it if you'd like...it's so amazing to see nature at work! Word to the wise though...these are wild animals. They eat like wild animals. Sometimes it's not a pretty sight, so be forewarned if you are watching at mealtime and you have a weak stomach.
I can't believe we're already into our first week of April. It looks like 2010 is flying by even faster than 2009 did!!! I wish all of you the best blessings of Easter.
My friend continues to improve. She has been transferred to a rehabilitation center where she will receive all kinds of physical therapy to help her recover further. I plan to go visit her for an hour this afternoon, between visiting my family and my husband's family. I look forward to seeing how much progress she's made since my visit last week when she was still at the hospital! She is having short-term memory issues that may or may not improve with time, so please continue praying for her and her family.
Count your blessings today and every day!!! Happy Easter. :)
A friend recently shared this site and I thought I'd pass it on in case anyone else wanted to see it, too! I'm looking forward to watching this bald eagle family thrive. What a patient momma!
The week seemed to fly by...guess that happens when you have work pile up on you. The good news is that we made our deadline, and it's always a nice feeling to have a project finish on a Friday so that the weekend is open. :)
My friend is steadily improving, and we continue to pray and count our blessings for her and her family. I am really looking forward to visiting her again, hopefully Sunday morning. I know the road ahead is a long one, but I think they have such a fantastic support system and group of cheerleaders to encourage and help. It'll all be ok! Here are updates from her husband about yesterday and today's events...I am consistently in awe of his strength through this whole process (and by hers...such a great match!).
FRIDAY's UPDATES 11:17am: Another exhausting day of therapy. Brain drain will likely come out tomorrow. She continues to not be exactly herself but improves. She tends to act a little childish and unemotional. Daughter knows she is in hospital and is starting to want to see her. I am going to wait till we are out of ICU. I'll update again later.
9:45pm: The feeding tube is out of her nose. She is a lot more comfortable. She has really enjoyed the milkshakes everyone has brought her. The brain drain may come out tomorrow. Possibly real food on monday. We had a battle with physical therapy today. She won but I am sure PT will win the war. She was happy to have visitors today. Everyone is welcome. Good night.
SATURDAY's UPDATES 8:08am: Pretty good night sleep. CT this morning will determine if the brain drain comes out. Her surgeon returns Monday. Can't wait for him to see her progress. Round #2 with therapy today. Her 1, Therapy 0. Doctors seem confident she will walk again. They are unsure regarding her memory and personality. Time will determine that.
12:15pm: The drain is out of head. She spent two hours in a chair today. She is peacefully napping. I have been trying to get emotion out of her other than anger. So far I have been unsuccesful. I'll settle for a laugh. Any ideas?
7:54pm: With all the recent good events I am spending the night at home with the kids and having a drink (or 3, or 7). PT didn't go well again. Her 2, physical therapy 0. We had a nice talk about going home, rescheduling the cruise, and getting out of the hospital and she agreed to try harder. Good night everyone. I am off to watch the Princess and the Frog with my Prince and Princess.
I was so excited because I got to visit her in the hospital on Tuesday evening. She was pretty alert and recognized me immediately, and it was so nice to just give her a big hug!!! I was working most of the day yesterday and didn't have much time to post her husband's updates, so I'll post yesterday's and today's below. Thank you again so much for continuing to pray for this beautiful family!!!
WEDNESDAY's UPDATES 3:14pm UPDATE: Done for tests today. They got her out of the bed and into a chair for two hours. She is cleared for pureed foods. The brain drain could be pulled tomorrow. Possible downgrade from critical to stable this week. We continue to move forward. I slept for 10+ hours!!!
9:13am UPDATE: Her voice is getting better. Still a little scratchy from the tubes. Her personality is a little off. Docs says its typical for her act a little immature or childish. That will get better with time. She is very hungry but not able to swallow very well so she is eating pureed foods. We are working on her being able to sit up but her neck hurts after awhile. CT tomorow. Good night everyone!
THURSDAY's UPDATES 9:10am UPDATE: She had a good night of sleep. Speech is getting better. She talks a little slow. Personality is still off and docs say that is normal and wiill improve. She does have some ultra short-term memory loss. More physical therapy today. Docs say it will take months of therapy. Right side works better than the left side. I am spending the night at home with the kids tonight.
6:16pm UPDATE: I am spending the night with the kids. Daughter was up late crying for daddy. She was tired most of the morning due to a lot of physical therapy. They clamped the brain drain which means they might take it out tomorrow.
I have always believed in prayer. Prayer is what got me to hang on through 11 weeks of bedrest so that my kids had the best start possible. Prayer is what pulls the faithful through many times when we just feel like we need guidance in some way. And prayer is certainly contributing to the miracle that is my friend. One week ago she went into the hospital with a life-threatening blood clot in her brain. One week ago the outlook was not the greatest, and her family and friends could do nothing but wait helplessly for any shred of good news that could boost our spirits. For the past week we were clinging to good news like a life preserver in an ocean of fear. I am completely amazed by the number of people praying for her daily. And it's working...today, we got the best news imaginable! Here are her husband's Facebook posts from today, so that you can read about it in his words:
8:15am UPDATE: Tough night for sleep. She thinks she can do whatever, whenever (typical). She is not supposed to move a lot because the drain in her head works on gravity. If she moves too much it will drain the fluids too fast and could be fatal. We struggled all night with this but I think she gets it now. We are waiting to do a CT later today and compare it to previous CTs to analyze the change in brain swelling.
10:13am UPDATE: Doctors say her heart is 100% and NORMAL!!! Physical therapy helped her stand next to the bed. Speech therapist said she can start with ice chips for now. More tests later today. We are having a great morning.
3:04pm UPDATE: Because of all the positive progress, the CT was put on hold till tomorrow or the next day. The next big things will be eating food and removing the drainin her head. She has been resting most of the day. I am spending tonight at home with the kids. I need sleep. Unless something happens, this is my last post for today. Thank you again for your love and prayers.
My friend's husband has already posted a couple of updates this morning and I just had to share...I'll add on his updates if he posts more later today, but for the time being here are the first two updates of the day!
6:52an UPDATE: Chest Xray is done. There is a greater than 50% chance of the tubes coming out. Lots of tests scheduled today. She had a great night sleep. She is a little uncomfortable but should get better if the tubes come out. Mobility gets better everyday. If you're visiting today, please call ahead. Doctors should be by soon. I'll let you know about the tubes.
8:56am UPDATE: The tubes are out!!!!!!!!! She is talking. No slurred speech. Doesn't appear to have any memory loss. She asked for bacon, eggs, and coffee. She says she feels much better and looks great!!! Heart is stable which is good. I'll update again later. Today is the best day yet!
Tonight's post --- 9:35pm UPDATE: Sorry for the late post. Went out with the family to celebrate the good day. She was able to read her patient board from about 10 feet away. Doctors are amazed with her progress. Heart is the same. She is in good spirits. More of the same tests tomorrow. Good night everyone.
A stay-at-home mom of twins, I'm usually found chasing them around the house or reading books with them. I do freelance writing for the local newspaper, I work for a local website, and I also spend as much time as possible avoiding the laundry. :) I have also been an independent consultant for a kitchen product company since late October 2007.
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