Thursday, April 22, 2010

Dada Went Boom :: UPDATE

I went to the Neurosurgeon today for a checkup and the news was...no news. The blood in my brain has not reduced yet, but it has not increased. Time will heal and let the blood absorb back into the body. At this point, the daily headaches have turned more into nightly headaches after a long day.

I appreciate all of the calls, emails and inquiries on my recovery. As of now, I have lost quite a bit of my smell and taste, but it too should come back.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Captain's Blog: Dadda Goes Boom!

Hello loyal readers of the Lauchard Chronicles. Clearly, I owe an apology for not updating this space with all of the latest fun and events that we have encountered. As you know from reading in the past, these are not always fun and games (see stolen car post for instance). Well, this post is not a fun one and quite frankly a bit scary still to actually write out what occurred.

(before the event)

















For those that don't know, last Saturday started perfectly with great weather, a run, some yard work and project completion, but quickly turned for the worse. While hanging outside with friends and kids, I managed to slip on a toy and land on the back/top of my head. This resulted in unconsciousness, an ambulance and a police car (Connor was happy about the ambulance at least) all being called, but leaving with no incidents. However over the next 20 minutes, I started seeing things in my eyes that left me quite worried, so we went to the ER. Things snowballed from there. I was tagged as a 'yellow' patient (careful watch) and immediately given a CAT scan. Upon completion of the scan, I was told that I had a fractured skull and a hematoma that could require brain surgery to relieve the pressure. I was also told that I was in the hospital until at least Tuesday.

(this is the fracture on the back right of my skull)













(the white portion is the blood from the hematoma)













What a shock to us that it was this bad! Hearing multiple doctors saying things like brain surgery, coma, Natasha Richardson, etc. makes you realize how lucky you are, but also scares you into knowing how close you were to very serious injury.

So, Connor went to stay with his grandparents and my wife showed me what kind of mother she became...a mean, forceful tyrant that makes me actually listen to her! Lacey was great and really helped me through this. It's hard having to rely on someone else so much when it goes against your general nature, but Lacey made it easy. I thank God that she was able to come stay with me at the hospital for all that time, because man...was it BORING!




















As the week progressed, I received so many well wishes, prayers, cards, calls, visits,etc. Thank you all so much for caring about me and my family. Day by day, my injuries didn't change and the outlook became much, much better. I left on Tuesday and while I have around 6 weeks to fully heal, I feel so much better now that I am home. Thanks again everyone for your help and well wishes!

Friday, April 2, 2010

Happy Easter!

Captain's Blog: New Patio

After coming back from Oklahome-ee, the patio was completed. I still have quite a bit of work to do on the landscaping portion of the back yard...new grass, new plants, mulching, etc. I really like what we had done. The patio is now smoother for Connor and goes right onto the lawn.

















Mr. Barrel Run

Connor thoroughly enjoyed the barrel run event that we went to out in Oklahome-ee. After every run, he clapped and then went tractor-crazy when the John Deere's were smoothing the dirt.

















Peanut Post: Goofin with Mimi and Baleigh

I had a lot of fun playing with my Mimi and cousin and Aunt and Uncle in Oklahome-ee. Dad had to photoshop some glasses on Mimi because she closes her eyes in pictures.

















Captain's Blog: Deck Demo!

Power tools, man power, snow, rain and mud...this is the life! Clearly we didn't do a good job of documenting progress by steps, there was a lot of work in between these shots :-).

























Oklahome-ee...Touchdown

After two days, we arrived and it was time to stretch our legs and try not to get blown away by the Oklahoma winds...


















Oklahome-ee...On the Way

We drove 7 1/2 hours each day for two days to make it to OK City to see B, B and N. Thank goodness for Lots and Lots of Trucks...we had a bit of weather those first two days.

















Remember the Deck

This is the last you will see of the decking and half done patio at our house...demolition and reconstruction to come! These are old pictures just so that we have a starting point to remember what it did look like.









Peanut Post: Pancakes and Gabba

What are my favorite things? Well, I really like when I wake up and Dad has made me a nice stack of the blueberry pancakes. After breakfast and a few hours of playing, I am sometimes lucky enough to have Mom put on a little Yoooooo Gabba Gabba! It's a great day when this all comes together.