A Really Weird Nightmare

Last Thursday morning at 3:20 a.m. our dog Button was acting hyper, and woke me up so I got up, and went to the bathroom. I got back in bed but Kyle was snoring loudly and Button was still jumping on me so I decided to try to get Kyle to roll over and quit snoring in hopes Button would decide she should play with him instead. When I touched Kyle’s shoulder, he was very clammy. I was shaking him hard, but couldn’t get him to respond. I turned on the light and when I said his name his eyes would open a little, but he wasn’t consciously there. His body was very stiff. I ran and got Hydee and we decided to call 911. They told me to get him on his back but he was so stiff we couldn’t move him. While we were waiting for the paramedics, he started foaming at the mouth. It’s a good thing I am able to stay calm in emergencies. If I had the tendency to panic I would gone completely nuts. I've always been grateful to be able to live near Don and Hydee, but never more so than that night.

When the paramedics got here, they immediately checked his blood sugar and it was 26. His sugars had been running high due to his having a stomach bug, so I was shocked it was so low. They started an IV and put a bunch of Glucagon in it. Then we all stood around and watched Kyle wake up into what he described as a “really weird nightmare”. I can’t really imagine what it would be like to have four paramedics, your wife, and mother all standing around your bed watching your every move. A blood sugar that low usually results in cardia arrest. His pacemaker may have gone off, but with him being unconscious, we don’t know. They asked Hydee to make him a peanut butter sandwich and she got some juice. Two of the paramedics stayed until he ate the sandwich and his blood sugar was in the 200 range. They were good to stay until they felt he was going to be okay. They said if we would feel more comfortable we could take him to the hospital, but they weren't sure what else they would do for him there. I felt good about that decision.

While he was eating his sandwich, I looked at his meter and at 12:30 that night, his level was 165. So in 3 hours it totally bottomed out which was very worrisome. The paramedic told me to get another sandwich into him and not let him go back to sleep until he was in the mid 300’s so if it dropped that quickly again we wouldn’t have a repeat. He was so weak Don had to help him out to the chair so we could change the sheets. He was sweating so badly the sheets were soaked. I checked his levels every few hours for a day or two.

The whole thing exhausted him and he slept the majority of the day. I didn’t let him out of my sight and had several conversations with the different member of Kyle's medical team about how to manage his insulin until he gets feeling better.

A Walk for Hope

The Huntington’s Disease Team Hope Walk was yesterday, the 21^st. We had a good turn out and had a good time. After things wrapped up at the park, we adjourned to Zupa’s for lunch and conversation. It was a lot of fun to spend some time with family we don't get to see nearly often enough.

Participants from Team Maughan were Me, Kyle, Mom, Dad, Marlee, Tom, Marijka, Susan, Ted, MaryAnn, Kim, Ellie, June, Jessica, Josh, Jenny, Preston, Garrett, Brooke, and Alexa. For our first year, I was thrilled with the support we received. Our team raised almost $300 and donated a BYU themed Scentsy basked to the bucket raffle. Thank you to all of you who helped us out. Now we know what to expect we can do more for next year. So keep in mind what you could make or donate for the silent auction or bucket raffle.

Kyle's Health Update

We saw another doctor yesterday about Kyle’s feet. He agrees with us that we want to put off surgery as long as possible. With Kyle’s health problems, there is a big risk of infection and a chance he won’t heal. Right now, the Charcot Arthropathy is very active in both of Kyle’s feet. The bones are breaking down. The x-rays were unbelievable. All the bones that connect his toes to the rest of his foot have crumbled on the left foot. They have partially crumbled in the right foot. The bones that keep the foot straight have collapsed on the left foot. We suspected that because his foot is bowing downward in the middle. I can’t believe Kyle doesn’t complain more. He has to be in constant pain.

The plan for right now is to try to get his feet stabilized. This means protecting Kyle’s feet from the outside so the bones can fuse. Therefore, Kyle is going back in the crow boot on his left foot as soon as we can get a new one made. He will also need to wear a walking boot on his right foot. The doctor wants Kyle in a wheelchair instead of walking. It was hard when he told Kyle he was giving him a prescription for a permanent wheelchair because he doesn’t see Kyle not needing it in the future. The worst thing for Kyle is this means no more working for a while. This will be great for our finances as well. 

Dr. Morgan wants us to go see a different doctor who can work better with our insurance because there may be surgery down the road. I guess our insurance doesn’t like the hospitals he works at. It happens to be the same doctor we already have an appointment with for another opinion so that worked out well. 

On another issue Kyle’s dermatologist removed a mole a month or so ago and it tested positive for Melanoma. So, on Monday she had to take out more, a lot more. Kyle now has a 2-inch (no exaggeration) incision along the top of his back. The skin she removed will be tested and then we will know if they need to do anything else. She thinks removing it will be all that needs done to take care of it. Let’s hope she is right.

9-11

Twelve years ago on September 11, I took the day off work to celebrate my 26th birthday. I was looking forward to sleeping in. Instead, I woke up to Janalee running into my bedroom yelling that we were under attack. It took me a few minutes to realize she wasn’t talking about us personally. She turned my television on just in time for us to watch the second plane hit the world trade center. I spent the rest of the day glued to the television watching the horrible images that filled the screen. It was so unreal.

That night my family and friends gathered in my front room for my “birthday party.” There wasn’t much celebrating as we all watched the television and prayed together for the victims. My birthday has never really been the same since then. I have a hard time feeling like celebrating on a day I know thousands of people’s lives were shattered. It was a horrible day. 

My birthday this year was thankfully very uneventful. I got home from work at 9:30 last night after a very long day. I sat in a conference all day and had a work dinner last night. Kyle had 2 dozen gorgeous red roses waiting for me, which was sweet. My awesome visiting teacher Michelle had been by and left me a bouquet of mixed flowers. I also had numerous texts and Facebook posts during the day from my family and friends. It was a nice calm day.

Leaves Are Changing Color

As September begins and the kids are back in school, the nights begin to get a tiny bit cooler and my thoughts turn to fall. I anxiously watch as the leaves begin to change. I wait to feel a morning chill in the air, and this morning it was there. It is my favorite time of the year.

Things I love about fall:

• Soft, cozy sweatshirts and comfy jeans 
• Thick warm socks and boots
• Hot chocolate 
• The chill in the air 
• UEA with the ladies 
• Deer camp 
• Horse riding in the mountains
• Walking through the crunchy leaves
• Carving pumpkins 
• Chili and cinnamon rolls 
• Lighting the fireplace 
• Cuddling under a pile of blankets 
• Watching the leaves change color
• Nice smelling Scentsy bars
• Caramel apples 
• Halloween 
• Warm apple cider 
• Thanksgiving