Stock Raffle and Bernetti Wedding

Brandon is still doing well at home. He has not been allowed to go back to work yet but in time, he will get his strength back and hopefully build up more of an immune system. I talked to my Grandma last night and he is taking 4 different anti-rejection drugs every day. A months supply for just ONE of those pills is $2,200!!! I couldn't believe it. All of his medicine is very expensive. Of course insurance pays for a portion of this but he is responsible for some. He is also busy trying to catch up on medical bills... LOTS and LOTS of medical bills. Although he is buried in these bills and will be on this medicine for the rest of his life, he is so happy and thankful to be alive.

1. Thompson Center Encore Prohunter Muzzleloader .50 calibar black/ss (Must be 18 and have valid FOID card to win)
2. Remington 870 Express Team NWTF 12 Gauge Pump Shotgun
3. Parker Scorpion Compound Bow
4. Gorilla Wolverine Climber Stand
5. Hide-N-Hunt Camo Clothes
6. Gun Case
7. $150 Gift Card from Walmart
8. Free Oil Change at Pro Lube
9. Gold Card Meal for 2 ($25 Value) to Cracker Barrel
10. Car Care Kit
11. $25 Cash
12. $20 Gift Card to Martins IGA
13. Gift Cert. to Niemergs Steak House (in Effingham)

In other news, Chad and I were down in Jekyll Island, Georgia this past weekend for Gio and Genny's wedding. It was absolutely beautiful! Gio and Genny make such an adorable couple. We were so excited to be able so share the day with them. I will be uploading pictures in the next couple of days.

CONGRATULATIONS GIOVANNI AND GENEVIEVE!!!

Life

When I went to visit my Grandma on March 29th, she wasn't doing very well. She was stuck in a wheel chair and she wasn't able to get move much. She complained that her butt hurt from being in the wheel chair constantly. Of course, this was partly her fault because she chose to give up therapy. She told her therapist that she was 92 years old and she shouldn't have to go to therapy if she didn't want to. Who can argue with that? My parents would visit her every day and they would keep me posted on how she was doing. Some days were better than others but overall, her condition wasn't very promising. On the other hand, I also know how stubborn she is. About 10 years ago, she fell in her apartment and hit her head. She wasn't found until two days later. She was rushed to the hospital. She had surgery to stop the bleeding in her brain. The doctors declared her dead on the operating table - TWICE. She was a fighter and she surprised us all by living almost another decade. This past Friday she decided that she had lived a full life and let go. Although I was sad to hear the news, I was glad that she wasn't in pain any longer. I will miss her. I am so happy that she lived such a long and healthy life.

Violet Pickel-Schroyer - 1917 - 2009

Oops...

I just realized I didn't let any of my readers (if I even have any, ha ha) know that Brandon is out of the hospital! His was released late last week. He is home and doing really well. Thank you again for all of your support and prayers! We are so fortunate that he had such a successful transplant and is doing so well. I talked to him this weekend and I asked if he was still jaundiced. He replied... "Nope, I am a white boy again." It was easy to see that he was in good spirits. He also had some of his staples from the surgery removed today. The rest will be removed next week! Yay!

In other news, I have been really busy with my new job but I love it. We are also busy getting ready for our trip to Georgia for Gio and Genny's wedding as well as our trip to Ireland. We have LOTS to do. I need a vacation from planning for vacations! ;)

Bad Day

Wednesday, I got news that Brandon was having a bad day. The doctor had warned him that he would have some good days and some bad days. He was very weak and couldn't move or talk because it was taking everything out of him. The doctor said that he is trying to heal and his body is just over working. They did say that his new liver was working quite well. Wednesday was also the day that Brandon was admitted back into ICU but he was released yesterday. He is feeling much better!

I am at Terry and Cheris this weekend. I found out that Chad's cousin, Nathan, just found out he had severe diabetes. He also has a "dead pancreas". Diabetes runs in the family but the dead pancreas is causing a lot of concern! Please keep him in your prayers as well!

I finally have some pictures to share! Brody's 1 year birthday was last Sunday. I went home and took a few photos... look how stinkin' cute his eyes are! Boy is he going to have the girls chasing him when he is older!