Tuesday, July 25, 2006, 10:37 a.m., D.S.T. (JUST got on my lunch break at work!! :) )~

Dear Journal~

Hey! It's me, Louisiana Sandusky. I am back at work, and I am now on break; therefore, I have time to write in here.

I am back from California. I got back Sunday evening, and boy, was my family ever glad to see me! The kids surrounded me with hugs and kisses, and my husband was so happy to see me he cried, he actually cried! (He has always been a sentimental fellow; one of the many reasons why I married him fifteen years ago! :) )

My dog, "Cajun Gold", went wild with joy: she was so happy she piddled on my leg (that was disgusting), and she waas barking excitedly. You never saw a happier little Pomeranian in your life! :)

My trip went well, but it was hard to see Susie Jackson lying in traction at the hospital, and it was doubly hard to see Rebekkah Rachel trying to adjust to her latest surgery. She now has no legs, and she has been undergoing many hours of painful therapy; yet her spirit remains strong, and she now has a sister in Maddy. So she has company to share her deepest secrets with, and Micah and Naomi, her mom and dad, have been enjoying their newest addition very much.

I found out that Susie will no longer be able to walk. I know that this will crush her; she is so vulnerable right now, and her poor mother has been on the brink of madness ever since. I am very worried about them; I pray they get the miracle that they so desperately need: if there was any family that needs a touch from God, it is the Jacksons; they have been through so much this past year, and troubles continue to plague them!

The only bad part about California (besides Rebekkah's and Susie's surgeries, that is, and also seeing Audrey looking defeated, that is) was that it was ungodly hot there. I was hoping that when I went to California, I'd escape the heat that Tennesee (let alone, the majority of the nation) head been experiencing, but nooo--it was hot there in Sacramento, too. It was in the upper nineties or the lower 100's. It is still hot there, and there may be a chance for rolling blackouts, due to the high energy demands. I pray and hope not!

Well, Ronee' left for camp yesterday, so there is one less child at the house. I know she will enjoy herself; she has always enjoyed her camping experiences at Camp SteppingStone. It gives her a chance to be around other kids who have JRA, and it also teaches her that she isn't alone. In fact, her best friend, Nicole Aldape, has JRA (worse than Ronee'), and so they share a special connection. I hope that Ronee' and her friends have a good time at Camp SteppingStone!

Johnny was full of questions when I came to the house on Sunday. He was concerned about Rebekkah; he thought that she was mad at him because she hadn't responded to his latest letter, but once I told him the reasons why, he understood. He did cry a little bit, but I comforted him, and I told him that he could get her a get well card and send it to her when we went to Wal*Mart. He seemed satisfied with that.

Next week is HIS camping experience. It is always a time of great joy for him, but it is also fraught with sadness, because there are kids he knew from past years, and due to their neuromuscular illnesses, they are no longer with us, and that always brings him closer to his own mortality, and he understandably gets scared and depressed. I will have to try to be more supportive of him now that he is feeling vulnerable; but so far (knock on wood!), his own health has been holding up, much to the amazement of us (and his doctors). I pray this continues~

We heard from our adoption caseworker; she was wondering how Vlademir has been doing since his arrival from Russia to our family. I have told her that he is adjusting slowly (which he is), and she was satisfied with that. She may come by next week to see for herself how Vlady is coping with his new life here in America. He isn't crying nearly as much (especially now that I am back home!), but he is still quite shy and clingy in nature, but I am sure that this will pass once he settles in some more. His therapy is going well, but he will probably never walk or talk; still, despite his debilitating condition, he has a megawatt smile, and he knows now that he is loved and has a family of his own.

She also called to tell us about a six-year-old boy from Israel who is in desperate need of a family. The boy is named Gabriel, and he has seizures. I told her that we would think about it, but right now we just got our fifty-fourth child, and we already have our hands full! Hmmm...maybe there may be another Sandusky child on the horizon; stranger things have happened!~ Maybe it may be for the best for little Gabriel, seeing his country is now embroiled in war; he needs to leave that environment, or he would more than likely be killed; I will have to pray for his safety....

Remember that woman I was telling you about that was shot in the gang by? Well, she now has a name, and she is (slowly) improving. Her name is Raynelda Watkins, she is forty-seven,  and she has awakened. She is pretty bad shape, but her vital signs have greatly improved since her arrival at our hospital, and every day there are signs that she is getting better. At least she knows who she is, and she (sort of) knows what has happened to her. I have met her sister, Regina, and she has not left her side since Raynelda came to NMH, both seem pretty nice.

Raynelda, however, has already pulled out her nose hose (twice) and her IV's (four times), and has pulled off her nasal prongs (countless times). We have tried to be patient with her, but it may end up that we may have to restrain her, which will NOT sit well with her (she is severely claustrophobic, as we have already found out). Oh, joy....What fun! LOL (NOT!)

Why is it that whenever I get a new patient, I always end up with a tube puller??...I was just wondering....

Well, I am going to get myself something to eat before I miss out on the opportunity. I wlll write in here again. Take care, dear Journal, and God bless!

(((HUGS))) and love, your friend in Tennessee, Louie May Sandusky. :)