The Journeys of Bushy Tail Lane

Sunday, June 22, 2014

June 14

This was a big day for the Helmuth family. Together we celebrated the marriage of Mom to Wesley Trout. The ceremony was small and private followed by a reception for friends. We pray God's blessing on their new home.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Surf tag

Some very current news is that we went to the beach today. Unfortunately, no one had a decent camera along. For the first time, we bought a surf tag for our yukon. Not only does it get us into all state parks for a yr, but it also allows us to drive out on the beach in designated areas. We do need to have a fishing pole in the water at all times so you need to watch out for lines in the water (not a big issue), but otherwise it is great. No lugging gear for long distances across hot sand. You can have the beach experience at your tailgate. I wish we would have had this when the kids were young. Several other families from church also have passes so we hope to hang out with them some this summer and maybe we will even go to the beach more. We are off to a good start and it was actually Lyn's idea to go today!

Anyone coming to visit this summer? You can park and we can drive you out.

Spring in Delaware

Spring has been absolutely beautiful this year. I guess that's what happens when you have a "long" winter! (long for DE, anyway) Is it any wonder why I love spring in Delaware?

First the Dogwoods......

Before they fade, the azaleas bloom....

Followed by the rhododendrons

Had a flock of indigo buntings at the feeder one day. Don't usually see them.

All Grown Up

Ericka went to the Jr./Sr. banquet at GMS with senior, Matt Chaffinch. They went as friends and I think they had a nice time.

We lucked out and she found this dress at a 2nd hand shop. She paid $25 for it and got $15 back when she returned it. She didn't even have to dry clean it first. Last year she borrowed a dress too but we had to pay $20 just to get it cleaned.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Aorta Valve Replacement

Lyn is the third child of his siblings that needed a new aorta valve. It has been about 2 yrs. since Lyn knew he was going to have to have this procedure done sometime, and he has been going in every 6 months for an echocardiogram. When the results came back from his test in Feb., the Dr. felt that it was time and a heart catherization in March confirmed that. A normal aorta valve opens 2.5 cm and the stenosis in his valve was causing his to open less then 1 cm. His heart is otherwise healthy and they wanted to have the valve replaced before something bad happened to damage the heart.

April 3rd was the big day. The surgery lasted about 4 hrs. and he was on the bypass machine for about half of that time. It was nice having Lyn's brother Joe, sisters Erma & Ida, and dad Joe in the waiting room with us.

He had many tubes, wires and machines hooked up after surgery. He was off of the ventilater by early evening and was up for his first walk by the next evening.

Lyn was in the hospital for 5 days after the surgery. Having never even been through minor surgery, this has been quite the experience for him. He came home with restrictions; the 2 main ones were no driving for 4 wks. and no lifting, pushing or pulling anything over 5-10 lbs. for 6 wks.

We are so thankful to the family for their support and to our church family as well. It was different for us to be on the receiving end of things. Thanks for all of you who brought meals, sent cards, stopped in for visits, and prayed with us.

We feel like we are finally over the hump. Every week things seem to get a bitter better. We are currently at 4 1/2 wks since surgery and are waiting for that 6 wk. mark. Plans are that Lyn can start cardiac rehab at that point. This picture was taken at the hospital about 4 days after. It is healing nicely and looking much better now.