Kaylee and I went back to Iowa for her annual check-up. Unfortunately, the others had to stay in Florida. We had a wonderful time seeing a few friends and spending time with family. To top it off, we were blessed to be there during the fall season while the leaves were at their peak.
Day 1: Flew to Iowa
It was our first time flying since the pandemic. Masks were mandatory and our ears hurt from wearing them so long. The West Palm and Cedar Rapids airports were empty, but the Charlotte airport was hopping. It was the most people we have been around, which made it a little unsettling. Even Herky wears a mask...
Day 2: COVID test and pre-op
It's hard to believe its been three years since Kaylee's AVM ruptured. It seems so long ago and yet remains close to the surface when she complains of a headache. The radiosurgery she had in May 2017 was supposed to take three years to work. In order to confirm the surgery's success she needs another angiogram. We're hoping and praying that it comes out perfect and shows that the AVM is gone once and for all.
The angiogram is scheduled for tomorrow, so today she needed a COVID test and pre-op labs. The COVID test was performed with a nasal swab, that was anything but fun. In addition, the lab work was incomplete and had to be repeated hours later.
As we drove around town, we were amazed to see the damage that remains two months after the Derecho left its havoc on our city. The streets are still lined with piles of brush and debris. The trees are like tooth picks. Roofs, fences and home are left damaged. My mom is still fighting with insurance to fix the hole in her roof. Yet, here and there, beauty remains in the colorful foliage that remains.
The rest of the day was spent with family. My mom made us Grandma's tenderloins, green bean casserole, sweet potato fries and cream cheese cherry pie. She went out of her way to provide us with a lovely meal. I think she trying to repay me for all the meals I cook when she comes to visit. Bree and Aliyah came over as well. We had a night full of laughter as we tried to give Bree some new words to use for her "A as in anus, B as in bowels, C as in constipation, etc.,". We laughed so hard imagining her saying them to her clients.
The night ended with cards with Grandma Sue and Grandpa Wayne. We played some Up and Down the River and then taught Kaylee how to play Euchre.
Kaylee's angiogram was scheduled for 6:00 am. Thankfully, everything went perfectly and the neurosurgery team reported that the AVM is gone. Praise God!
The angiogram is quite invasive as they go in through her femoral artery. She had to ly still for a few hours afterwards and has to take it easy for the next week. No squatting allowed for one week.
The rest of the night was spent celebrating the good news with taco pie and euchre.
Day 4: Saturday
Kaylee spent the day with her BFF, Brittany Comer. They spent the day playing games, baking and watching movies.
While Kaylee was gone, I got together with my mom and walked on the trail behind our old house. The weather was gorgeous! Afterwards, my mom drove me around town showing me more of the devastation. Bree's church lost its roof and one side of the building.
I spent the rest of the day with my dad and Sue. Dad and I went for a walk along the golf course, which was beautiful. Then we ordered take out from one of my favorite restaurants, Zeplins. We capped off the night with more euchre once Kaylee returned.
Day 5: Church, Birthday Party and Family Time
After 7 long months, today we went back to church in person for the very first time. It felt so good! Oakland did a great job socially distancing and wearing masks. Unfortunately, Calvary doesn't do either, so we have continued to watch the sermons online each week. I have missed worshiping in person and the fellowship of my dear friends. It was good to be back.
Kaylee spent the afternoon celebrating Lilly's 16th birthday with her and Chloe. They went to a pumpkin path and then carved pumpkins. She had a great time with her friends.
I spent the afternoon with Becki. We had a nice lunch together and then she gave me a tour around Marion so I could see the damage. We met back up with Kaylee and spent the evening with the Langfalds. Uncle Mike made us some AMAZING chicken fried rice. It was great catching up with our amazing family!
Day 6: Kalona
Kaylee had her last appointment with Dr. Buatti this morning. He pronounced her cured and discharged her. But not before telling her she can now scuba dive, power lift and blow up balloons. We are so thankful!!
Afterwards, Grandma Sue and Grandma Becki who waited in the car for us, helped us celebrate with a trip to Hurts Donuts. It was a first for both of them. From there, we drove to Kalona to enjoy the fall colors and visit the amish bakery and stores.
We finished an already great day with dinner at my mom's where she made us chimichangas, taco salad and another cream cheese cherry pie. She continued to spoil us!!!! We had another fun night with Bree and Aliyah and a quick visit with Rylan.
Day 7: Golf, More Friends and Family
Dave and Darla come to visit Dad and Sue on Tuesdays. Dave and Dad usually golf, so I decided to crash their party and golf with them. I hadn't golfed in three years, so it wasn't pretty, but the company was great and the weather was gorgeous! Afterwards, we went back to the house and played some cards with Darla and Sue.
Kaylee got invited by the Comer's to go to Olive Garden with them. That was an offer she couldn't refuse, so she had lunch with them and then spent some more time with her dear friend.
Bryker had his last football game, so Kaylee and I had the privilege of watching him play. Afterwards, we enjoyed a nice dinner out with Grandma Becki and the Langfalds. Kaylee spent the night with Grandma Becki and I went back to my dad's to relax with them.
Day 8: Last Day
Kaylee spent her last day in Iowa with Grandma Becki and the Langfalds.
I went out to breakfast with my good friend, Angela. Then I went and visited Grandma Russell. It was great catching up with both of them!
My mom invited us over for one last homemade meals, Costa Rican Lasagne. I had introduced them to that recipe back in my college days, but hadn't had it in years. It was a definite treat! We said our goodbyes to our sweet family and headed back to my dad's for one last night of euchre.
Day 9: Flew back to Florida
We had an early flight and landed at 1:00 pm. I hopped back into my chauffeur mode by picking Kianna up from school at 1:50 pm. Waiting with her in the car until 2:45 pm, so she could go to cross country practice. Then back to get her at 4:45 pm. Then she was off to soccer practice that night. I picked her up again at 9:00 pm. It was then that we discovered she was running a slight fever and had a tummy ache.
Day 10-12: Quarantined
Kids all stayed home from school. I stayed home from work and took Kianna to get a COVID test. The 15 minute test was negative, but it has lots of false negatives. So, she was given a 2-3 day test, which is more accurate and told we all needed to quarantine until we got the results.
Quarantine meant:
- No flag football game for Trace.
- No cross country meet for Kianna.
- No basketball championship game for Kaylee.
- Mom missed two days of work.
- Poor Dad continued to work 12+ hours from home office.
End result was lots of family time (minus Kianna) and a negative COVID test. Yeah!!!
