The hospital pic link

Here is the URL for the pics taken by the hospital: http://www.growingfamily.com/webnursery/babypage_view.asp?URLID=5F5S9V0P3T

Jonny is doing better!

His bilirubin is back down in the normal range. :-)

The doctor still wants him under the lights through today, just to make sure.

Happy Memorial Day

I AM THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

I am the flag of the United States Of America.
My name is “Old Glory.”
I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings.
I stand watch in American’s halls of justice.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up and see me.

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confidant.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.

When I am flown with my fellow banners,
My head is a little higher,
My colors a little truer.

I bow to no one.
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped – I am saluted.
I am loved – I am revered.
I am respected – and I am feared.

I have fought in every battle in every war
For more then 200 years.
I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg,
Shiloh, and Appomattox.
I was there at San Juan Hill,
The trenches of France,
In the Argonee Forest, Anzio, Rome
And the beaches of Normandy, Guam,
Okinawa, Korea, and Vietnam.
I was there, I led my troops.
I was dirty, battle weary and tired
But my soldiers cheered me
And I was proud.

I have been burned, torn and trampled.
On the streets of countries I have helped set free.
It does not hurt, for I am invincible.

I have been soiled upon, burned, torn
And trampled on the streets of my country.
But when it’s by those whom I served in battle – it hurts.
But I shall overcome, for I am strong.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth
And stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space
From my vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness
To all of America’s finest hours.
But my finest hours are yet to come.

When I am torn into strips and used as bandages
For my wounded comrades on the battlefield,
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,
Or when I lie in the trembling arms
Of the grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,
I am proud.

MY NAME IS “OLD GLORY”, LONG MAY I WAVE.
DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN, LONG MAY I WAVE.

Lots of Updates

First, for those wondering, Yes, I did graduate! I passed all my courses, so assuming that the Admissions and Records department doesn't find something we all missed, I now have a Bachelor's in Biology, concentration in Microbiology (same as a Microbiology degree), and a minor in Chemistry. And it only took me 14 years! So, now I am going to find a job that utilizes my degree in some capacity.

Next, little Jon is having some problems with jaundice. His bilirubin count got to 18.7 (normal is 13), so last night, "bili lights" were delivered to Diana and Jon's house. He is staying under the lights all the time, except during feedings. Hopefully, this morning's count is lower, and he won't need the lights any more. I'll let everyone know.

Diana is doing ok. She is still dealing with slightly high blood pressure, and her feet are still swollen. And of course, she is exhausted. But she is handling things well, and is seeing her doctor on Tuesday. Hoping by then the swelling is gone and the blood pressure is down.

David is doing well. I missed being with him on his 20th birthday, so that I could be with Diana.

I am heading back to the Sacramento area in a few minutes. Only a 10 hour drive in good weather, but today, the weather is lousy. I will ease off the lead foot today. :-)

A Little Collage

More Pics

Looking for more pics of Jon, Diana, and baby Jon? Look here: http://www.portable-essentials.com/family/lester/

I'm a Grandma!

Yep! Diana had the baby, Jonathan Douglas Lester II, at 6:53pm last night. He weighed 7 lbs 10 oz, and is 20-1/2 inches long! More pics later, I promise! I am working on getting one of Diana and baby Jon too!

I absolutely love the last picture of Jon and Jon! Jon will make such a fantastic daddy!

My Poor Jeep

Alas, my poor Jeep has been gutted a bit, so that the body shop can determine damage. And guess what? They found that there was a lot more damage than the insurance company estimated. So now, the estimate that was just under $4000, is now probably over $8000, according to the preliminary estimate by the body shop. That isn't including engine damage that needs assessment by a mechanic still. That is closer to what I figured, based on my obvious experience in the Jeep at the time. Ironically, the damage doesn't look horrid, as I stated earlier. But on closer inspection, it is clear I took a significant hit.

Anyhow, here are the pics I took today at the body shop. I never got any pics before they pulled the tires and bumpers off. The blue marks are notations of body damage.

The last shot shows the bend that the Jeep got. The other driver hit me at the right rear corner, shoving me 10 feet into the vehicle in front of me (Remember, I was stopped at the time). The Jeep had to bend somewhere, and did so on the right side. The front right door overlaps the frame segment between front and rear doors, near the roof.

No baby yet...

Diana is not in labor yet. Her docs have agreed to induce her by Thursday if she doesn't go into labor by then. That said, she feels like she will go into labor any minute now (Could be hopeful thinking... but that's good!), and she decided to clean her house up... :-)

Anyhow, as soon as I know anything, I will let everyone know. I am heading out to SLC on Thursday after my last final exam (Cell Physiology... I am so excited about Diana, Jon, and the newest member of our family to arrive very soon, I can't even think right now!) I am so excited at being a grandma (In my family, I will be called "Nana").

Happy Mother's Day!

I wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Mother's Day. As I anticipate the arrival of my first grandchild, I have been thinking back on the last 20 years that I have been a mother to two wonderful children (who are not children anymore!), David and Diana. How they have brought incredible joy to my life, how I was blessed to have both of them to save me (Yes, I mean save me), in the darkest period of my life, when Rory, my husband of 19 years, passed away in 2004. I dealt with problems as a parent: I almost lost both of my kids at varying times. Diana struggled with apnea for the first year of her life (She would stop breathing), and David was hit by a car when he was 8. But both are here today, and doing well. And for that, I am grateful beyond words. I love my two children so dearly.

So, for all the mothers in the world, I raise my champagne glass (well, it has Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider in it) to you! Happy Mother's Day!

Still no wheels, or an answer

I am still sans vehicle. Buses, light rail, and bumming rides to get anywhere. As of yesterday, they still had not looked at my Jeep to decide the amount of damage, and whether or not it is totaled for sure. I honestly don't know. Hope they tell me Monday. I also haven't heard from the CHP whether or not they arrested the hit and run driver.

My arms and legs are still surprisingly sore. And the left side of my neck and shoulder are sore, too (I assume this is from the seat belt, since the right side doesn't feel nearly as bad). The bruises are starting to fade now. They make my right arm and left leg look, um, wonderful (not).

I am studying for finals now. Monday is two of them (Molecular Biology and Organic Chemistry), then Wednesday (or Friday, the choice is mine) is Virology, and Thursday is Cell Physiology. So, I may not be easily reachable for several days. Sorry about that, but I am one week away from GRADUATION! Yep... it only took me 14 years to get my Bachelor's in Biology with a Microbiology concentration, with a minor in Chemistry. But, I walk on May 20th! Yippee!

Bruises, bruises

While I didn't suffer major injuries in the accident, I am amazed how sore I am. Over the past few days, bruises have been popping up everywhere on my arms and legs, and most of my muscles are deeply sore. I initially felt like a bad workout, but this has gradually gotten worse. It is truly odd to see how much the jolt of having someone crash into you causes trauma in tissues. Something else I am dealing with from the accident is that my brain seems, for lack of better words, "scattered". Could be stress from the accident, could be even a mild concussion. Not sure. I also have a nagging low level headache that is always there. Sure makes studying difficult. Timing of this whole thing could not have been worse.

My wonderful Jeep just got totaled tonight

Yes, I seem to be ok. Shook up, for sure. My back is sore, and I have a few bruises here and there. Having put many people on backboards in c-spine over the years, if I don't need to be put on one, I won't be!

While on my way home from school tonight, my Jeep was hit from behind by a woman who hit me going about 30 MPH at the time. She hit her brakes, but hit me full force, and rammed me into the car in front of me (we were both stopped due to traffic), effectively sandwiching me in between the two cars.

There was no reason save for her not paying attention for hitting me. She has no license, no insurance, and is probably an illegal. She left her car on the freeway and took off. So, now she is a hit and run driver as well. She wasn't wearing her seat belt, and is around 4 months pregnant. She was dumb enough to leave her name and address in the car, it seems. I have the feeling if the cops don't pick her up, she will show up at an ER around here somewhere.

The Jeep back axle is toast, along with the back hatch, and bumper. The right side doors don't line up any more, and the front right door doesn't latch. The motor mounts are blown (when I turned the engine over to more it off the highway, it was obvious). Even the tow truck driver was amazed I wasn't hurt. The Jeep took the worst of it, and YES, I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT. It probably saved my life (or at least kept me from major injury).

It's been a busy few weeks, with more to come!

I have been so busy these past few weeks, with schoolwork and DMAT (Disaster Medical Assistance Team, for those who don't know the acronym) work. I attended the NDMS Conference at the end of April, got back to school and caught up with my schoolwork, then immediately headed out for our statewide exercise called Rough and Ready. It was worth it! I learned so much this weekend working with other DMAT's, the California National Guard, and other agencies. It will help me to be better able to help my patients when I am on deployment.

As I approach graduation on May 20th, I find myself becoming increasingly anxious about my future. I suppose that every college graduate goes through this, but I am truly wanting my future to go in one path, while I see it moving in another. I love science and medicine with a passion. I have to find a position with a company or government agency that I can use my skills, while still figuring out how to get into a P.A. program, which is what I want to do. I *REALLY* want to be a P.A. My GPA took such a drop in 2004-2005 schoolyear though, that I don't know if it is high enough now to get me into a program. I hope that they will look at my experience in life, and not use my GPA as a major determinant for entry. I am still going to apply, but I have to have more money first to do it. It will happen. IT WILL HAPPEN.