Breathing Easy

Just like Grandpa Tew, Dad snored often and loudly whenever he slept. When I stayed the night with him while he was in the hospital I discovered he had taken his snoring abilities to new levels.

Mom talked with the doctors and Dad had a sleep study done last week and the results came back yesterday. Dad stopped breathing 377 times during one night. He has severe sleep apnea and will be getting a CPAP machine soon. Hopefully this will lead to nights with undisturbed sleep (for both dad and mom).

January Update

Dad/Bruce met with his nephrologist yesterday. They changed another one of his blood pressure medications because he's been really sleepy (more than usual) the past few days. Then Mom/Muriel called me last night to ask how low was "too low" for a blood pressure. Dad's blood pressure was 90's/70's half an hour after taking his new blood pressure pills and he was feeling like he was going to pass out. While we were talking it dropped to 80's/60's. Dad was still awake and alert during this time. Mom called the nephrologist's office and the doctor called them back. While on the phone with the nephrologist, dad's blood pressure went down to the 70's/50's. The nephrologist ascertained over the phone that dad was okay and told him to drink some water to help build his body's fluid load up a little bit. The nephrologist gave mom and dad parameters of when not to take the blood pressure medications. Dad started feeling a little better shortly after getting off the phone with the doctor. His blood pressure slowly started to go up and within an hour after the episode began his blood pressure was 115/70's, or as dad said, "I feel like I've just finished running a marathon. My PSI (referring to his systolic blood pressure) is 115."

Here's a picture of Dad/Bruce from the good old days. (Back when he and Uncle Kent could convince Uncle Craig to slide down the roof of an old barn and suffer with a bottom full of slivers thereafter. What a cute, innocent looking boy.)

Gift to You {from Kristi}

Hi Tew Family,

Kristi emailed me a copy of Grandma's picture and said, "I wanted to get you a real copy of that photo of Grandma so you could pass it around to your family. You can put it on the blog and let people know they can print it too if they want to. I am going to put it, along with the others I took, on a disc for all of Grandma's kids and then they can pass them around." Thank you Kristi! (Kristi's photography skills are AMAZING. You can see more of her work at http://www.spgx.com/)

Merry Christmas Tew Family!

Quick Update

(**Sorry for the lack of updates on Dad's/Bruce's health. Our computer has been out of order for the past few weeks and Jeremy has brought it back to life {whew}! )

Dad/Bruce continues to work on keeping his blood pressure controlled (it keeps trying to creep back up over 170's/90's). The general doctor added another blood pressure medication (Clonidine) to dad's growing pile of pills. Dad thinks he should just pour all his pills in a bowl, add milk, and eat it with a spoon like cereal. Sounds yummy.

Dad/Bruce is still tired and naps frequently. He continues to use his oxygen at night. He was finally able to get in to see his nephrologist last week (the first time since he was discharged from the hospital back in October). The nephrologist wasn't as impressed with dad's improved creatinine levels as mom and dad have been but that's okay. We'll take any and all improvements dad can get.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Traveling Home

Dad/Bruce said that he made it home safely and that his blood pressures have started to come back down again. They were elevated during the funeral. He also said his ankles are still swollen but are beginning to "look better." He's sounding better and better each day.

A picture of Dad/Bruce at Grandma's Viewing.

Ambrea calls it his "peacock picture" for obvious reasons.

Together Again

Here are a few pictures from the funeral.

(Another amazing picture of Grandma taken by Kristi.)

Noma C. Tew

Found this online copy of Grandma's obituary at http://www.nalderfuneralhome.com/.

In Loving Memory

Noma C. Tew

7/23/1920 - 11/11/2008

Noma C. Tew, 88, of Firth, Idaho passed away on November 11, 2008 following a lingering illness. Noma was born July 23, 1920 at Blackfoot, Idaho to Nephi and Laura Christensen. She grew up and attended schools in Blackfoot graduating from Blackfoot High School. On August 15, 1940 she married Rodney W. Tew in the Salt Lake Temple. They farmed in Blackfoot, Roberts, and Goshen. They developed new ground in Raft River before moving to Firth 45 years ago. Noma was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints serving in each of the organizations as teacher and leader. Mother always kept herself busy in her home caring for her family, reading, sewing clothing, knitting and crocheting lovely items, and making quilts to bless the lives of her family and others in the community. Noma was preceded in death by her husband, two grandchildren, Eric Crofts & Tif’ni Tew, a son-in-law, Larry Quigg, two brothers, Nephi & Ove Christensen, and a sister, Clara Larsen. She is survived by her children, Jeanette (Larry) Esplin, Warren (Gloria) Tew, Sonja Quigg, Kent (Darlene) Tew , Bruce (Muriel) Tew, Craig (Bonnie) Tew, Tamara (Kent) Laird, Rebecca (James) Layton, Kurtis (Karla) Tew, and Marlene (Todd) Smith, 48 grandchildren and 94 great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Thelma Sayer and Olive Barclay, and 4 brothers, Coston, Robert, Raymond and Harold Christensen. Funeral services will be held 1:00 P.M. Saturday, November 15, 2008 at the Firth Stake Center (823 North 675 East) in Basalt with Bishop Blaine Wilding conducting. The family will receive friends Friday from 7:00 till 8:30 P.M. at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley and Saturday 11:30 till 12:40 P.M. at the church. Burial will be in the Fielding Memorial Cemetery.


Online Condolences
From: Muriel Tew
Pueblo CO
Relationship: proud to be dauther-in-law

We will all miss you greatly. You have been such a wonderful example for our family and all that knew you. We are proud to be a part of your family. Thank you for raising such a wonderful son to bless my life and life of our children.Sent: 11/14/2008

We Love You Mother and Grandma.

Thank you for your love, lifelong example,

and for your legacy.

I have a family here on earth

They are so good to me.

I want to share my life with them

through all eternity.

Families can be together forever

through Heavenly Father's plan.
I always want to be with my own family

and the Lord has shown me how I can.

Wednesday Miracle

Email update from Mom:

"The doctor doubled Bruce's lasix prescription because of all the swelling. It doesn't seem to help him much though.

Monday: We went in for blood work today and we should get the results tomorrow. We also went to an acupuncturist for treatments for Bruce to help with the edema in his body. The acupuncturist taught me some massage treatments to do on him twice a day to help. We go back for another appt with her on Monday.

Tuesday: Yesterday morning Bruce said he was able to sleep all night (the first time since this all started). His swelling is down and his spirits are up. He still doesn't have a lot of energy but was able to take care of Kaylee on Friday while I made phone calls to get qualified for the month. Bruce was the contact person with Prepaid Legal's corporate office to make sure that all of the sales were going through OK.

His vision had been bothering him and so we took him in to an eye specialist. His optic nerves are swollen with lots of broken blood vessels. We have an appointment to go back.

We just got Bruce's blood work back. Yea!! His creatinine level has dropped to 2.3 instead of the 3.75 that it was! We still have a way to go but it is now headed in the right direction.

Thank you for all the prayers and concern that you have so graciously shared with us.

We are still preparing for that miracle.

Muriel"

Tuesday Update

I called and spoke with Mom yesterday. She said that dad has not been as nauseas as before. He is, however, dealing with very swollen legs. Mom took dad to see his general doctor and the doctor was alarmed at dad's condition so she doubled dad's dosage of Lasix. We were thinking that a CPAP machine would be helpful for dad at night while he sleeps but the doctors are concerned with his medical condition and won't prescribe him one at this time. Dad does have his oxygen that he is using at night while he sleeps.

He has another appointment with his nephrologist in a few weeks. We'll keep you updated on how things go.

(Feel free to leave any comments on this blog for Bruce and Muriel by clicking on the "comment" at the end of a posting.)

Monday Update

I called dad tonight to see how he was feeling. He answered his cell phone and I could hear in his voice that he was tired though doing good. He said he is tired most of the day and wakes up to eat the meals that mom fixes for him. It reminds him of how he felt after he had his heart attack four years ago...always tired. Dad also said that his sleep is sporadic through the night and he uses his oxygen at night while he sleeps.

He went "running" yesterday with Ambrea and Kaylee (Ambrea's 2 yr old daughter). He said that he walked, Ambrea walked, and Kaylee ran circles around them while they went around the block. He's trying to be up and active as much as he can. He said that his legs continue to swell up each day. He elevates them while he sleeps and they look great in the morning but by the end of the day they're swollen again.

He and mom really appreciate all of our continued prayers in their behalf.

(This is another recent picture from Ambrea's blog. This was taken last week and it is of dad sitting outside to watch Ambrea's family carve some pumpkins.)

Thursday Update

Update from Mom:

"We went to Dr. Riley (the general doctor) today and she is very nice. She explained a lot of things for us that the other doctors did not. She did another test and gave him a prescription for oxygen. She said that he was on some pretty heavy meds and that is what is causing his nausea. His body should get used to them in a couple of weeks so that he can handle them better.

He has an appointment with her in a couple of months. His nephrologists' nurse (Tammy) called today. His next appointment with them is November 17th. His kidneys are working at 17% and you go on dialysis under 15%.

We went shopping and bought Bruce a recliner rocker so that he can relax and have his feet up. It will also make more room for company to sit, since for Bruce to be up relaxing he took the couch.

Bruce has been feeling a lot better the last couple of days and is able to eat better as well. He has not had an appetite at all. Even with the numbers up things are looking up. We do believe that the number will come down soon and that we will soon see some major improvement in his health."

Wednesday Update

Dad got his blood drawn from the doctor's office on Monday and mom got the results back today. The blood work showed that dad's creatinine level is up to 3.75. Not good.

Dad is still feeling tired and nauseas and trying to keep his BP under control.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

Sunday Update

Update from Mom:

"Bruce is glad to be home. (He liked not being a pin cushion.) He has not had to have pain meds since being home either. YEA!

Bruce appreciates all the phone calls and emails. Kent, Tami, Becky and Shannon came to visit and Bruce went on a couple of walks outside with Kent.

We have an appointment Monday with the kidney doctors to check his blood and we are expecting a drop in his Creatinin levels and in his WBC as well.

With the major decrease in Bruce's blood pressure he does not have a lot of energy and has a hard time staying awake which frustrates him.

In the hospital they gave him his meds without him eating which many of them say to be taken with food. We are able to control that better here at home and he doesn't get as nauseated. He has 7 prescriptions so he is sporting a new pill box to accommodate the meds."

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers. They are grately appreciated. We will continue to update this blog as we learn more about Dad's situation.

Friday Update

Update from Ambrea:

"Aunt Becky, Tammy and Uncle Kent Made it here to Colorado around 3pm. Dad ate a little bit last night but not much because he said that it was salty. He had taken his pills and threw up last night because he didn't have enough food with his meds. Mom wasn't happy that he didn't tell her why he didn't eat until this morning. Dad said that he will be better about telling her what's going on and what he needs.

He has been sleeping most of the day. Mom checked his BP around 2pm and it was 175/75 but he had already taken his meds. She said she wasgoing to wait until he relaxed some to take it again to see if it went down any. Later in the evening he seemed to be doing ok though.

Hope all is well. Love ya!

Ambrea"

Home from the Hospital

Dad was discharged home from the hospital earlier this afternoon. Yeah! I guess they sent him home with a basin to throw up in since he was feeling pretty nauseas. They had given him another dose of iron through his IV and he was having a hard time with it.

I haven't spoken with mom or dad but I heard from Ambrea that they sent him home with some limitations and a list of when to notify the physician.

They have a follow-up appt with dad's nephrologist on Monday for some blood work to check his creatinine levels again. We still need his creatinine levels to come way down (indicating that his kidneys are functioning better). If they don't then there next option is hemodialysis and a kidney transplant. We don't want to have to go to those measures for sure.

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers!

Thursday AM Update

Dad has been awake and walking for most of the morning. Mom said she's been letting dad take control and talk to the doctors and ask the questions.

His blood pressure was 118/63 (good).
His creatinine level is still at 3.4 (it needs to go way down).
His WBC count dropped down closer to the normal range (good).
The MRI showed no changes to dad's aortic aneurysm and no additional tears (good).

The nephrologist is ready to send dad home. The other doctors have yet to sign off on dad's case so we'll see when he gets to go home. Hopefully soon.

Mom said that Kent, Becky and Tammy are leaving today to come down and visit them. I know mom and dad will enjoy that.

This picture is of Dad the first day he went into the hospital. He is wearing a hat because he wasn't happy with his hair not being combed. (He's not on oxygen anymore.) I borrowed this picture from Ambrea's blog since I haven't been able to download my pictures yet. We do have pictures of him up and walking and talking. Some of them look like he's ready to go out and work for the day.

Wednesday PM Update

Dad was awake for most of the day today. He was walking and eating good. They said his hematocrit levels have been low so he is going to be getting iron through his IV.

The doctors decided to do an MRI and they took him down for the test. During the test they put some blue dye into his IV and dad was surprised and worried because he knows he's not suppose to be getting a dye because of his delicate kidney situation. After the test was done Mom asked the medical doctor if that was okay a dye had been used and the doctor wasn't sure. She said they'd wait for the results of the MRI.

We're hoping and praying that his kidneys will be able to rebound and start compensating on their own. We're also hoping that the MRI shows no changes on dad's aortic tear. Mom asked the nephrologist why they don't just go in and repair the tear and the nephrologist said that surgery would be just as harmful and dangerous to dad's kidneys as any test would be.

We'll wait and see what tomorrow has in store.

Wednesday AM Update

The results from the nuclear med scan to dad's kidneys showed good blood flow to his kidneys (no blockage). The nephrologist thinks that the kidneys are struggling because of the decreased blood flow to his kidneys now that his blood pressures have dropped and are not continuously running at 250's/100's or higher.

Dad's creatinine level dropped a little to 3.4. If the kidneys are not able to improve then the nephrologist said they would need to put dad onto a kidney transplant list.

The nephrologist is going to check with the radiologist to see if measures need to be taken to check or correct dad's aortic aneurysm at this time. If further testing is needed then they'll discuss if the CT scan with dye is needed or if there is any other test that can be done instead. The nephrologist repeated this morning that if they use the dye it will further damage dad's already delicate kidneys. If no further testing or follow up is needed at this time then they will look at sending dad home.

Dad was awake and alert speaking with the nephrologist. They have a very caring and very professional group of nephrologists working with them. Thank you for your continued care and concern and especially for your prayers in mom and dad's behalf. They need them.