REHAB which means….Rent out…Exasperating…Husband…After…Bypass!!!!!  Between dealing with Magoo popping in about five times a day to check on Bill and Bill snapping at everyone for no reason, I am prompted to rent them both out…no sell them!!!  Magoo has made it his mission to torment Bill by walking in and waking him up. Actually he is tormenting me because Bill goes right back to sleep and I have the duty of running him off.  It’s hard to explain Bill’s problem.  I know the feeling of being creeped out by pain and of having the begiggers scared out of you by going through a life threating event but he needs to let up a little.  He quips and is sharp with people.  I’m sure it will pass but it is enough to drive me crazy.

Lani left yesterday to visit “Mr. Wonderful” (love you Timothy) in South Carolina.  I always track her with the website called “Flight Tracker”.  I was freaking out when I saw her plane going all over the eastern seaboard!  She was supposed to land in Columbia, SC but managed to circle it twice and then they headed south to Charleston.  They were diverted there due to the bad storms going through that region.  She was supposed to land in Columbia at 5:13 PM EST.  But finally landed there at 9PM EST.    Lani said she sat next to a traveling pilot and he kept showing her on his electronic devise that they were not where they were supposed to be.  Lani mentioned there wasn’t enough beer on the plane!  Not to mention that the pilot of the United Express Jet looked like he was 19.  After refueling in Charleston and getting more adult beverages on board, the teenage pilot got my child to Columbia. 

Got up this morning to get the trash out and in the middle of the pool there was the cutest water frog.  This frog was positioned at the bottom of the pool on it’s hind legs, ready to leap at the next bug that swam by.  “Kung Fu” frog!!!!  Seriously…he had his little hands up in the air and his legs in squat position.  I haven’t had to remove any bugs from either of the skimmers or the top of the water in weeks.  He does as much as “Cooter Brown” (what we named our pool cleaner) does and you don’t have to replace any parts.   All he needs is a little bandana!

My childhood friend Patrice called me last week to inform me that her sister Judy was going to be in town and wanted to try to get together for a visit.  It’s kinda hard for me with Bill and Magoo but we managed a few hours together to talk over old times.  It was so good to see them both.  Time flies and we go way to far between visits.  Son Dusty and grandson Braden came over and helped with all the mowing.  I made my list of to-do’s.  Everything from feeding dogs and horses, taking out trash, taking the pool sample, cleaning all the houses, laundry, grocery list, bathing dogs, cooking enough so I don’t have to do it everyday and setting up and getting everyone to doctors appointments.  Oh well…makes the days go fast.  Lani will be gone 10 days.  It’s only been one and it seems like 5.

Bill is supposed to start rehab this week.  (The real one).  Have not heard from the hospital on his schedule but should hear something soon.  Dr. Odhav’s nurse has been working on it.  I am do for another CA125 test this month and probably an exam too.  I will get with Dr. Bevers on our timing.  It’s time to give the who-who some attention! 

Thank you Tony (Tone Dog Media) for helping me iron out a few things on my website.  I am trying to get a fan page started for Facebook.  I get back to everyone on that.  And thanks to friend/writer/editor Melanie Saxton for the wonderful article that you wrote about “Ride,Baby,Ride!”  in the “Katy Christian Magazine”.  If anyone is interested my story is on page 30 of the June/July issue. It can be found at CVS Pharmacies and HEB”S (and many more places) in the Katy area. AND IT”S FREE!  There is also a story about a friend of mine who owns a pet business called “Privileged Pets”.  Fiona, and hubby Jack, have a boarding kennel and pet sitting service.  Jack also trains dogs.  If you need more info visit their website (www.privilegedpets.com).  They are a wonderful couple and your pets will be glad you did.   More to come out too about the fundraiser on the 21ST of this month.   Have a wonderful week my friends.  Hugs to you all.

Ride,Baby,Ride!
Leilani

I would like to start this blog with a special announcement.  On Saturday, The Leilani Essary Hurles (Bevers/Cook) Ovarian Cancer Research Fund officially got started.  A dear friend of mine, Tajana, had a jewelry show which featured her mother’s beautiful handmade jewelry.  In addition she featured me as a guest speaker and gave a portion of her profits to our Ovarian cancer Fund.   It was at a beautiful ranch home of Josephine A. and many wonderful people attended. I enjoyed meeting all of you.  Thank you to all that donated to the fund and for all of you who bought books.  It was my pleasure to sign them for you.  There will be fundraisers in the future and I will keep you informed on dates and times.  The next official event is July 21ST.  Here in Fulshear.  Details will be announced soon.  In the meantime if you know of anyone that would like to give to the fund please let them know that they can mail cks or money orders to:

 Leilani Essary Hurles Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

PoBox 985

Fulshear, TX 77441

We need to get the word out about the “silent killer”.  I know that my part is small but I’m trying and many women’s lives depend on it.  I will send a receipt for all donations to the donors.  I am putting in $5,000. of my money and with the start we got on Saturday…we are on our way!!!!  MD Anderson is an amazing place and I am happy to raise money in my name for them.

The next storm in the gulf should be named Magoo!  He had no trouble throwing one of his wild curve balls on Saturday.  You talk about spinning and going nowhere!  Dad decided that when I left for the fundraiser that I should be back by 5PM.  Don’t ask me how he does his math…I don’t want to know or even try to figure it out.  Bill said he paced his porch and our porch for an hour, waiting for Lani and me to get home.    So afraid I was going to miss “Wheel of Fortune” with him.  When we get home I go over and I get the silent treatment.  I explained about making money for the fund and selling books.  Magoo put his hands over his ears and shook his head.  He did not want to hear anything.  I just got up and left.  I think he finally talked to us last night.  Out of necessity of course…he needed a dose of milk of magnesia.  If Magoo can’t poop….we are all in for a bad day!

My friend Gail, the guru at Dr. Kaestner’s office, sent me an e-mail of a wine cellar that was built into the floor of a home’s kitchen.  It was awesome.  It had a see through plexiglas doors that opened and you stepped down into a spiral staircase and as you took each step further into the abyss the walls were filled with wines.  A wine/storm cellar all in one!  No that’s my place to be in case of a disaster!  I’d probably be yelling “tornado coming”  all the time.  No flies on my ass!!!!

Bill is getting better each day.  We are taking walks several times a day and working on the little things that everyone else takes for granted.  He is supposed to start rehab this week at the hospital.  The physical therapist has exercises to teach us to do at home.  OMG…where is that wine cellar?  This ought to be a hoot.  Men are such babies and Bill is no exception.  I’m just about ready to pitch him a tent on the back forty!  To all our wonderful neighbors that have helped so much during this ordeal, please check on this old broad.  Once rehab starts I’ll either be hanging from the rafters with a Merlot in tow or Bill will show up missing! 

The weather here in Houston has been so hot.  Supposed to have several days in a row over 100.  I think they said 104 or 105 today.  Add that with the humidity and it’s head for the pool and stay in there.  Skin looks like a prune but you’re cool.  We are fortunate to have bubblers in our pool which adds a little extra coolness to the water.  Not to mention the very soothing sound that relaxes you.  I know I was born under the Aquarian sign for a reason.  I have always loved the water and pray that the world could share the peace that I get from the tranquil rippling sound.

Don’t forget to get the word out about the fund.  Let’s blow this ovarian cancer crap out of the water!!!!!!!  Any donation will help.  Love, hugs, and prays to you all.

Ride,Baby,Ride!

Leilani 

Hi everyone.  Hope you had a fun and safe Father’s Day weekend.  I have decided that I am just going to go ahead and commit myself to the mental institution so no one else has to bother.  Gee, I think I’ve said that before but this time I mean it!  Magoo pulled one of his greatest performances ever.  Bill has been getting way too much attention.  So dad practically crawls (and I mean one breath from leaving this world and bothering the angels crawl), over to our house and says his teeth are loose.  Not just one but two.  Sis-in-law Libby and I did a teeth inspection and found no loose teeth.  He would not let up the entire weekend.  So, I called Dr. Kaestner’s office and talked to my friend Gail to see if she could save the entire family from another performance from Magoo.  Dad has an appointment tomorrow at 2.  Lani will be his chauffeur for the day.  I’ll have the wine chilled when she returns!  Dr. Kaestner’s office is on their own.  But I have out smarted “the Magoo”.  His dog Lilly is due for her shots.  So while Lani is depositing dad’s butt at the dentist …I made an appointment for Lilly to get her shots at the same time.  That way he won’t make a big scene at the vets office.  That is always an Academy Award in itself! 

Bill is doing great.  Gets stronger everyday.   Doctors appts. went very well and we are definitely on the right road to recovery.  The doctor told him to eat whatever he wants (even hamburgers) to get his strength back up.  Then it will be heart healthy diet.  But he is allowed to drink his red wine each day.  That makes for a very happy Bill and a very happy Leilani and Lani.  He’s almost back to normal when he has that wine goblet in his hand.  And not throwing orders around right and left.  Son Dusty and grandson Braden came over Saturday and Sunday to mow and trim trees etc.  Big help!  Our neighbors Ernie and Marvin have been taking charge to make sure the acreage stays beautiful.  Thank you both so much.  Lani and I are handling the Bill chores pretty well.  I took all the trash out this morning (can’t wait till he can do that again).   So coffee in hand, nite-shirt and house-shoes, I drive the golf cart to the road and deposited all the trash for the garbage dudes to pick up.  Then I couldn’t find the gate remote.  OMG… I hope I didn’t pack it with the trash!  So had to do a scavenger hunt to find it.  It was on the floor of the cart under the last bag of trash.  Didn’t know that I knew that many cuss words.  I think I even made some up!

Got to float and read in the pool yesterday for a while.  The sky was so beautiful.  Did my laps doing the backstroke so I could observe all the beauty.  Saw the American flag flying in the breeze, airplanes, butterflies, dragonflies, wasps, limbs swaying on the oak tree near the pool, birds of all kinds (just hoping the ducks didn’t decide to poop on me on their fly over) and all the clouds.  The beautiful clouds …all shapes and sizes.  So much fun deciding what they remind you of.  God is truly amazing!!! 

I posted a picture on Facebook that was taken at the MD Anderson photo shoot.  Still not sure when they will hit the billboards around town.  There were several really good ones of Dr. Bevers and me.  There are also some book dates coming up.  A couple of them will be combined with a jewelry show.  Proceeds of the books will go to my Leilani Essary Hurles Ovarian Cancer Fund.  The lady who makes the jewelry has been kind enough to donate some of her earnings from the jewelry as well.  This weekend in Fulshear there is a “Tea Party with a Heart”!  Saturday, June 23RD  from 2:30- 5PM.  At the home of Josephine Aasnes.  6306 FM359 Rd. South, Fulshear Tx 77441.  For directions call 713-822-6303.   Drop by if you are out and about.  Everyone is welcome. 

Again, thanks for the cards, e-mails, calls and visits.  Bill enjoys them all.    Hugs!!!!

Ride,Baby,Ride!

Leilani

My husband is the most incredible man in the world.  I will repeat some of the basic stuff for everyone.  I sent a shout out yesterday on the blog and on Facebook to let everyone know we were home from the hospital and that Bill is doing fantastic.  Could not have asked more from my cowboy.  After the angiogram on Tuesday it is mostly a blur.  Dr. Odhav , Bill’s cardio guru sent for a heart surgeon to talk to us, Dr. Olsson.  We could not have been more pleased with our team.  We as a team decided that the surgery was urgent enough to be done ASAP.  So we agreed on the next morning.  After much hoop-la we got everything arranged and set up for the next morning (Wed.).  At 7:30 AM Bill was wheeled into surgery for either a triple or quad bypass. (Turned out to be triple thanks to some wizardry of the doctor).  Dr. Olsson performed the a 5 1/2 hr. surgery.  Head nurse Marcia came out every hour to inform me what was going on.  Around 1:30 Dr Olsson came out to let me know that Bill sailed through the procedure with no problems.  He did not need any blood and that he will be out of recovery and  in ICU in a few hours.  My daughter Lani met Dr. Olsson while bringing me something to eat and had the OK to go with me to ICU to see Bill.  No one else was allowed in.  Let me tell you the first look at your loved one with that respiratory tube shoved down their throat is not pretty.  But he was breathing on his own so he got rid of that quickly.  Did I say I had the most incredible husband?  The doctors could not believe how well and how fast he was recovering.  On the second day in ICU Dr. Olsson said he was already a day ahead of schedule.  Each day proved to be more remarkable than the proceeding one.  He walked 200ft. the second day.  I was floored.  So we are now experts in several facets of medicine.  Man, I thought cancer was a real trip….this my friends is nuts!

Anyway we got home and we thank God everyday for our wonderful doctors, nurses and hospital staff that never ceased to amaze us with their kindness and effeciency.  And thank you to our friends and family who were so understanding in not bugging us during this time.  We asked for our time together and you gave it to us.  Thank you to Lani and sis-in-law Libby for Magoo sitting.  Those two took care of dad, dogs, horses, mail, papers, house cleaning and all that goes with a hospital stay.  And last but not least, to neighbors Ernie and Bernie for being nice enough to mow our property for us. 

There were several memorable moments.  The ICU ward does at times sound like the maternity ward.  The sounds of moans and groans are creepy.  Bill’s were included.  Lani, the ICU nurse and I were laughing so hard while poor Bill was in la-la land.  The noises that came out of that man were undescribable.  We had a match for every sound we heard!  Then there’s the great little hospital gowns.  After the tenth time I had to pull Bill’s out of his butt crack I decided I needed to invent a new hospital gown.  Some times it hard to tell what’s imaginary and what is real.  I was walking to the gift shop to get a few things and as I approached the elevators on the 6TH floor, the fire alarm goes off.  All the security doors shut.  Announcements were to not use the elevators but the stairs.  Hello….you shut the doors…there are no stairs.  I freaked out.  Waving with a Kleenex through the huge glass windows down to security desk to let him know I was stuck …and I see what?  The guard drinking a coke and looking at his monitor.  Must have been a big fire ….right?  Anyway turns out it was a firedrill.  I plan on calling the hospital about their techniques of performing a drill.  Some old person would have had a stroke!  I used to think that my idea of camping was black and white TV or staying at the Holiday Inn.  Just changed my mind…..it’s a hospital stay.  Ugh!!!

I feel like a big rock in a stream.  Water keeps rushing by.  It slaps away at your inner self.  Sometimes it rushes by  slapping you harder and harder.  Other times it ripples by, very slowly, feeling so good.  But the water is there no matter what.  As long as the creek doesn’t dry up I feel secure.  Such is life. 

I will be putting progress reports on the blog this week to let you know how Bill is doing.  I have cancelled my speaking engagement for tomorrow night.  But I will make it up to the book club that I was supposed to speak to.  As much as I hated to cancel, I not only can Bill not be left alone but neither can dad.  Lani and I are running double duty.  We are doing what has to be done with dad, all of Bill’s chores, and plus our normal stuff that we do.  But we have a system and all is going well. 

So keep the prayers coming.  I have my monthly  port cleaning on Thursday.  But other than that no plans.  Our anniversary is June 20TH.  We had planned to go to Vegas.  That is now on the back burner for a few months. 

Hugs! Ride,Baby,Ride!

Leilani 

Have to begin with a Magoo story.  My daughter-in-law Michele turned me on to a new app on my cell phone.  She knows how involved I am with Ghost Adventures (aired on the Travel Channel).  So she found a Ghost Radar app.  I have had so much fun with it.  Anyway testing it out Bill and I went out on the patio to sip our wine and indulge the spirits (the ghost ones that is).  The first thing the spirits said was “porch”.  Then ‘shade”, then “author”, then “airplane”.  Airplane, just as a jet was going over our house.  OK, not creepy enough for you.  It said burro.  Bill and I looked at each other and said Magoo’s not outside (LOL) which ass is it referring to.  Just about that time this donkey in the next field let out this horrendous noise.  The neighbors had acquired a donkey.  It gets better.  I’m putting dad to bed and the spirits were talking as I was showing Magoo my new app.  The next morning Bill goes to feed him breakfast and Magoo tells Bill not to leave that machine over here at night anymore.  The ghosts talked to him all night!  Folks…I had my phone with me all night on my night stand.  We still have not figured that one out.  Either Magoo has finally lost it or the ghosts had a field day messing with him all night.  I really hope it’s the latter.

Our grandson Braden came over to help Bill mow and do outdoor chores.  Son Dusty and daughter-in-law Michele were here too.  Bill, Dusty, and  Braden were trying to get a 100 ft. outdoor electric cord untangled.  OMG, talk about entertainment.  Michele and I were watching from the window.  The 3 stooges at their best.  It got to the point we almost felt sorry for them…I did say almost! 

The real donkey is a jenny (a female).  Therefore we do not consider her a jack ass.  Bill asked Lani and me why she wasn’t considered a jack ass too?  We rest our case!  Should have sent the 3 stooges over there to ask her for help with the extension cord. 

Momma cardinal is still sitting on her nest in the hanging bicycles.  We should be grand parents again real soon.  We also rescued a huge water turtle from the horse field.  Bud and Poco (our horses) didn’t seem to mind him.  But we took him down to Bessie’s Creek so that he could be back home.    The mockingbirds, hummingbirds, and wrens all seem to be keeping busy and eating us out of house and home.  Don’t believe the phrase “eats like a bird”.  If some tells you that and you are supposed to be taking them to dinner.  Hide your credit card!!!!

Bill is getting geared up for his angiogram tomorrow.  We have to be at the hospital at 6 AM.  It is referred to as “outpatient” but if more needs to be done then he will have to stay overnight.  I will up date you ASAP after the procedure.  Lani and I are going to the “dress rehearsal”  tonight of the musical “Best Little Whore House in Texas”.  Our friend Natalie Young works for “Theater Under the Stars “(TUTS) and was so nice to get us tickets for the event.  So I will have a very short night.  Probably won’t get in until midnight and then up by 5 to get to the hospital.  A woman’s work is never done!  So prayers for Bill please. 

Thanks to Linda and David, our good friends, for meeting us for lunch and helping to take our minds off of everything else.  Thank you to Dr. Bevers and Bles for making me feel so special when they are truly the special ones.  They have moved into the new MD Anderson facility in Katy.  It’s beautiful I might add.  I got a kick out of the new examining tables.  Like I told my friend Gwen ( who is also a Dr. Bevers patient) that it’s like going up in an elevator… naked!  I don’t think I’ve ever been that high up with my legs spread!  Not even in my college days.  Unless you count the chandelier party…oh well that’s a different story.   And for my minister, my hero in the black robe, Dave Peterson, just try not to think about what I just said.  Your job to get me in the “pearly gates” is hard enough. 

Remember when you look in the mirror… see yourself doing great things.  Don’t give up.  Positive all the way!!  Hugs!

Ride,Baby,Ride!

Leilani