Saturday, May 23, 2009

Sunday Dinner, May 24, 2009 & Update On Lamar

Happy Memorial Day weekend! And in the fine tradition of Memorial Day I will be spending minimal time in the kitchen this weekend.

Cecil and Ducky bought a smoked pork Boston butt and it will be the main course for our Sunday Dinner this week. After we get home from church on Sunday afternoon I'll slice the meat off the bone and put it in the oven to warm for barbecue sandwiches. We'll have hamburger buns, slaw and barbecue sauce to go with the meat and everyone can construct their own sandwiches to suit themselves.

Jessica made a double batch of MAMA'S CHEESECAKE for our dessert and unless somebody brings something else for the meal that's it as far as I know: Pork barbecue sandwiches with (or without) slaw and homemade cheesecake for dessert.

Sounds like a plan to me.

What are your plans for Sunday Dinner this week? And just to make things interesting, feel free to share your Memorial Day plans/menu too.Lamar saw the retina specialist from Memphis again on Friday and we received some cautious good news and a few answers to our questions about Lamar's condition.

Dr. Meyer told us that Lamar's eye is a little better, praise God! He said the inflammation, swelling and the hemorrhage in his eye is a little better overall, although his eye is still very sick. He said that the eye is not "out" and did not "blow", his terms, and that there is still hope that Lamar may recover some vision in his eye.

The doctor stopped short of saying that Lamar will ever have normal vision in his left eye again, but he did say that anything is possible. It's impossible at this point to know how this will all play out and he still wants Lamar to be seen by a virologist or infectious disease specialist.

For some reason the infectious disease specialist that was supposed to see Lamar wouldn't get back to us with an appointment, and I suspect that it's one of those insurance things, but have no way of knowing for sure. At any rate, all the offices are closed now until Tuesday due to the Memorial Day holiday so we won't be getting an appointment before then.

Dr. Meyer said he's going to call another virologist himself and set up an appointment for Lamar as soon as possible, even if he has to make the appointment with a specialist in Memphis.

Dr. Meyer told us that it was definitely a systemic virus that attacked Lamar's eye and caused the severe inflammation, which in turn caused the acute high pressure, blockage, thrombosis and ultimately the stroke in his eye. Now they need to determine if the virus has run its course or if it's still active in Lamar's body.

If the virus is still active, they'll have to isolate it and determine the precise strain so they can target it with the correct antiviral drugs. If it is still active it can do more damage to Lamar's eye and could attack another part of his body as well.

The doctor said it could be nearly any kind of virus that attacked Lamar's eye, including the common herpes virus that causes cold sores, chicken pox/shingles and any number of other viruses, including one of the rarer types. Although it is very rare for them to settle in the eyes it does happen, and Lamar is just one of those unfortunate enough to be affected.

But for now we're just grateful for the bit of hope they've given us and that we have some answers, albeit not all our questions have been addressed.

Today Lamar is able to see a little better than he has since this ordeal began about 10 days ago, which is a blessing and reinforces that bit of hope Dr. Meyer offered.

Thank you again for your prayers and keep 'em coming!Our life for the last 10 days has involved doctor's offices, medical tests, hospitals and pharmacies almost every day, including an emergency visit to the eye specialist on call last Sunday morning from 1 am until 4 am. We had to wake the poor man to open his office and examine Lamar because they thought his retina was detaching, and it was a close call as it was. It's still highly elevated and they're watching it closely.

While we've been on this whirlwind of doctor visits and tests most of our life has been on hold, including my blog writing, visiting and commenting. I apologize for that, and I want to thank all of you who've been faithful to visit and comment even though I haven't been able to reciprocate.

Assuming we can stay out of the doctor's office this week I'll try to visit and comment more, but I can't make any promises. We just don't know from day to day where we'll be and Lamar's eye health comes before anything else at the moment.
I want to wish everyone a blessed and meaningful Memorial Day. May we never forget the sacrifice of those in all branches of our armed forces - past, present and future.

To any of my family and friends who read this and who are veterans or serving actively: Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service to our country, and ultimately, for your service to protect MY freedoms.Y'all have a great weekend, and may God bless each and every one of you. May God meet all your needs, and may you have enough to share is my prayer for you.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Diane - don't worry about blogging and visiting other blogs. Your main focus right now is Lamar and getting his eye problem solved. We'll be here when you have time.

Memorial Day here will be just like any other day. Dom will be watching the Indy 500 tomorrow when he gets home from work. I'll probably be painting some wood that I need for the transom project I'm planning for our living room. Exciting, huh?

Have a great holiday - and I'll keep praying for Lamar.

Dawn said...

Well, that is a bit of encouraging news. Whew! I trust things will just keep on getting better.

We're having our annual picnic in Mom and Dad's back yard - we have to do it on Sunday because my brother and his family come from Oklahoma to run the Bolder Boulder 10K race on Monday. So I'm not sure what we'll do at noon. Maybe Wendy's or something equally delicious.

violetlady said...

I am so glad that Lamar's eye is a little better. You two have been through the mill and I hope they isolate the virus and get it cleared up. Tomorrow Ken and I will join with our other boat partners and friends for a barbeque on the boat. I will be making my world famous macaroni salad!

Boo-Bah AKA Iris said...

Wow! what a stressful time. I am glad to hear that his eye is somewhat better. I hope they find the exact cause for his eye to be so sick. I will keep you in my prayers.

Iris

zztop357 said...

I'm glad Mar is a little better.I keep hoping and praying everything will be cleared up.
Love both of ya'll Sister.
Donna

MightyMom said...

well that's good news.

Aunt Jenny said...

I am so glad he is getting some better..I won't stop with the prayers for sure!
Your dinner sounds great as always! We will be having pork roast, red potatoes and carrots and collard greens...probably some corn bread too.

Lucy Stern said...

Your dinner plans sound yummy.... I will cook chicken in the crock pot and then slow cook a brisket for Monday's dinner.

I am so glad that Lamar's eye is better... I hope you are able to get him in to the specialist quickly and that they are able to determine if the virus is now gone. Still praying and keeping my fingers crossed.

My dad was in the Navy during WWII. We learned reverence for the military from him and it carries on to this day.... Have a relaxed weekend and make sure Lamar takes all of his medicine.

kkryno said...

I'm so relieved to hear some good news, however guarded, I am still keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers, and I just know that all of you hopes and prayers will be met.

You both are deserving of this miracle and I have no doubt that He will be there for you. Don't give up hope, and take care of yourselves!

Happy Memorial Day!

Love, Vikki.

Barb said...

That's good news, Diane. It sounds like maybe you've got a doctor who knows what's going on and I'm glad to hear it's not getting any worse.

It's a rainy weekend here so we're keeping the holiday pretty low key. I have no idea what we're having for dinner today - I'll have a much better idea after I get back from grocery shopping. :-)

Happy new week to you. xoxo

Linda said...

Diane,
I am so glad to hear there's a little improvement. That's an answer to prayer, and I'll keep praying for healing and wisdom for the doctors as they isolate this virus.
We had a woman in our choir who was suddenly paralyzed from some obscure virus. Fortunately she recovered, and we pray the same for Lamar.
I pray for grace and strength for you dear Diane.

RennyBA said...

Happy Memorial Day to you and family - all the way from Norway!

Good to know things going in the right direction for Lamar!

Dick said...

I'll add a prayer that Lamar's health and vision will return to normal. Your last ten days kind of reminds me of my "former life" where it often seemed as though Annie & my hobby was "doctoring."

As to Memorial Day, I do appreciate it but will be much happier when my son gets back home from Afghanistan. I still don't think it is fair to take a Navy sailor, give him a couple of months of special training and then send him out into ground combat. He has been there over 6 months now and we still don't know when he will come home.

As to our Sunday dinner, my other son has invited us to their house for a barbecue this afternoon, so that is what and where we will have our Sunday dinner.

Rachel said...

Glad you got some encouraging news about Lamar's eye. I hope it all continues to get better. I have never heard of a virologist before!

I had pizza for my dinner today. Vegetable pizza. Yummy too!

Have a wonderful blessed Memorial Day Diane!! Hugs to you!!!

Linds said...

Diane, just don't worry about us at all. I will keep praying for your Lamar, and his eyes, and thank heavens you have doctors who are on the ball and quick to find out what the problem was. I am not on the computer much at the moment, because I am having such a great time having my daughter home for a short visit, but I keep checking here or on facebook. Lots of love, sweet friend.

Mountain Mama said...

I'm still praying for Lamar's eye. I hope it isn't too painful.
My dinner is being eaten as I type. I made a lazyday meal. Chicken breast, carrot, potato and broccoli in a baking dish, sprinkled with Mrs Dash and poured Mushroom soup over and covered it. Baked about an hour. The broccoli is too done but this is an easy meal and believe me, This old gal is all for easy after another day of yard work!
Bless you and yours Diane.

Hootin Anni said...

Hope you have a blessed holiday Diane.

Unknown said...

Diane: My love and prayers continue to flow for a total healing of Lamar's eye. Please remember do everything you can in the name of health to assist the doctors too with their recommendations and healing efforts!

auntpearl said...

Dear Diane,
Please know you are Lamar are in my prayers. I know the actual problem is so worrisome but I think the waiting for answers takes it's tole.
I love the photo on your last post. You make such a cute couple.
Hang in there. I hope he gets on the right medicine very soon.
Sending you hugs.

Jeanette said...

Gday Dianne,, Pleased to read Lamar's eye is starting to improve.what a worry its been for you both.. Have a wonderful Memorial day, and your Sunday lunch sounds super..

Sharon said...

Hi Dianne
I hope that Lamar's eye is doing better.
I lost track of you, so glad that I found you again.
Your lunch plans sound great.

God bless

Cecil said...

It's been lightning a bit so can't stay on here for long.. trying to comment on everyone! Have a good rest of the week.. love y'all.. Cecil

Sam said...

I'm late getting here Diane, but I really hope that Lamar is continuing to get better. And I'm sorry you all are going through this. All those appointments! Ugh!

Praying for you and your lovely family, Diane!

Mother Mayhem said...

All things are possible with God. :o)