Category: 2016

Friday, 18 May 2018

We truly enjoyed having Erica and Kendall stay with us…

And

We hope they will come visit again soon.

Tuesday, 15 Nov 2016

Twenty-four Sacred Hearts Academy young ladies attended the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders EMERGE Conference today. EMERGE is a one-day event designed specifically for the next generation of high school leaders. #SacredHeartsAcademy

Thursday, 06 Oct 2016

Just over two weeks ago, Ella was a very sick pup.  Her respiratory and immune systems struggled to stay ahead of the pneumonia and RSV.

Today, Ella is doing much better and well on the road to recovery.  We are incredibly grateful to all the members of “Team Ella” for their efforts to nurse Ella back to good health.

Thank you for your prayers.

Saturday, 01 Oct 2016

Seventeen years ago – before family, friends, and God – we repeated our marriage vows and entered into the sacrament of marriage.

Now that we are fairly well established, it is probably safe for me to admit that I married well above myself.  I was lucky.

I was incredibly lucky to even meet Lisa.

I was lucky she agreed to go out on a date with me.

I was lucky she fell in love with me.

I was lucky she agreed to my marriage proposal.

I was lucky she agreed to move to America.

I was lucky she actually went through with the marriage ceremony.

And now, seventeen years later I am still lucky.  I am lucky I can still make her laugh when I make a mistake and need to get out of trouble.  I’m lucky she lets me think that I’m in charge and I’m lucky that she puts up with me when I get too full of myself.

Most of all, I am lucky that she still makes my heart race.

Dear God, thank you for making me such a lucky fellow.

Happy Anniversary Lisa –

I love you!

XXX OOO

Thursday, 29 Sep 2016

When dealing with respiratory infections like pneumonia and RSV, the very best medicine is the love and attention of a good friend; and a nice brisk walk to get the blood flowing and fresh air in the lungs.

Ella loves to take Roxy for walks. Roxy loves take walks, especially with Ella.  It is truly heartwarming to see – in such a short period of time – the bonds of friendship and love forming between Roxy and Ella.

Thank you for your prayers.

Wednesday, 28 Sep 2016

During the interview process with Assistance Dogs of Hawaii, we discussed Ella’s ability and willingness to care for her dog.  We told Vanesa, we were confident Ella would enjoy caring for her dog.

As predicted, Ella loves caring for Roxy each day.  It is a responsibility and a duty that she takes very seriously.  She loves every bit of it.

Even though it is just over a week since Roxy and Ella met, we see amazing changes taking place.  Ella cherishes the responsibilities of looking after Roxy.  She also enjoys the prestige of having her very own dog.  It is wonderful to see Ella’s self esteem blossom.

For these things and so much more we are incredibly grateful to Assistance Dogs of Hawaii.  “Mahalo nui loa!”

As the saying goes…”a picture is worth a thousand words…”

Monday, 26 Sep 2016

Vanesa, from Assistance Dogs of Hawaii, stopped in today to check on Ella’s health and to continue the extensive training program with Mum and Roxy.

As always, Roxy was in fine form and ready for anything – especially loving Ella.

Ella’s health is improving slowly but surely.  However, she still requires supplemental oxygen 24/7 to keep her O2 saturation numbers on track.

Thank you for your prayers.

Sunday, 25 Sep 2016

At noon today Ella was discharged from the Pediatric ICU.  While Ella is much better than she was 36 hours ago, she still has a long way to go before she is 100%.  She requires supplemental oxygen (24/7).  The next few days at home will be very quiet ones.

While Ella was sad to leave Nurse Laura and Nurse Stephanie, she was happy to see Nurse Roxy waiting for her when she got home.

Thank you for your prayers.

Sunday, 25 Sep 2016

If you want to beat a respiratory infection (such as pneumonia) and/or avoid contracting pneumonia, it is imperative to get up and out of bed each & everyday; preferably several times each day.

Yesterday afternoon, after requesting a portable oxygen bottle and receiving Nurse Stephanie’s blessing, Ella stood up and went for a brief walk around the PICU.

While she was up and about, Ella posed for a few photos with the PICU nurses.

This morning Ella went for a much longer walk, all the way to the Red Bull vending machine in the center of the hospital.

Afterwards,  she wrote a few cards and before  drifting off to sleep.

Thank you for your prayers.

Saturday, 24 Sep 2016

For most of Saturday, Ella caught up on her sleep.  She slept in her favorite position – leaning forward, laying over a big pillow.

Typically, she  slept for about 30 to 45 minutes – waking for a minute or two to cough & have a drink of water.  Then she would go back to sleep again.

By 3:00 pm, she was ready to go for a short walk around the PICU. After that she went back to sleep.

Did I mention that Saturday’s R4 sleeping.

Bottom line: we are very pleased with her progress!

Thank you for your prayers.

 

Saturday, 24 Sep 2016

After midnight… it became clear that it was too dangerous for Ella to remain at home.  Her already fragile respiratory was under too much stress – she needed to be in the hospital.  So we packed up and headed off to TAMC emergency room.

Once there, Ella was reunited with an old friend, Dr. Stockdale.  Dr. Stockdale gave the orders and the respiratory techs (RT’s) appeared with their super high-tech oxygen system. Shortly thereafter, Ella was resting comfortably – her O2 readings at much safer levels.

At about 04:00, they transferred Ella to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).  After a few moving pains were ironed out, Ella was back to sleep with pretty good respiratory numbers.

Developing…

Thank you for your prayers.

Friday, 23 Sep 2016

The test results are back.  Ella is a pretty sick pup.

The X-Ray indicates a pneumonia on the right lower lung.

She also tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Unfortunately, because it is a virus – there is not a lot that can be done for RSV.  However, the doctors did prescribe Amoxicillin for Ella’s pneumonia and to help battle any bacterial infections that may try to piggy back on the RSV.

Other than some tears during the failed attempts to get blood samples, Ella is in pretty good spirits.

Developing…

Thank you for your prayers.

 

Friday, 23 Sep 2016

Ella, Roxy, and their staff (Mum and Nurse Jessica) arrived safely on Oahu yesterday afternoon – just in time to help Ella battle a fairly aggressive respiratory infection.

Supplemental oxygen and overnight nursing care helped Ella remain stable enough to avoid a midnight trip to the emergency room.

In order to get ahead of the power curve and to stay out of trouble, Ella has an appointment with her primary care provider, Dr. Carroll, at Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) this morning.

Details to follow…

Thank you for your prayers.