A Festivus Miracle!

PART I - THE GATHERING

In what can only be described as a miraculous inception, Aunt Cath was able to score the entire team dougthen cohort tickets to the Wilmington Western Railroad Festivus Light Show of 2011!  As the night approached, everyone was planning to go except Uncle Harry and Aunt Linda who had been unable to find tickets.  But, at the 11th hour Aunt Cath was able to negotiate two additional seats on the train and the the team was complete!

Well, almost complete.  In some sad news, Mid, Pork and Ann were unable to attend the Festivus Train ride due to Mid's blood count (but keep reading, there is a happy ending!).  When asked, Uncle Harry responded to the news by simply saying: "well, I guess it'll be a festivus for the rest of us." So, heavy-hearted but not without hope, the rest of the Team Doughten contingent trudged on to the train.

the entrance was simple, not hard to get to....

....and the crowd was thick, but we fought through

 

the children beamed with anticipation.....

 

.....while still others suffered from sleep deprivation

  As we entered the train, the sweet smell of mold and old wood permeated our glands as we all thought back to fond memories of Porkie Pop's van.  Thanks to Uncle Steph's deft maneuvering we were all able to sit in a private car together and with everyone safely aboard, the conductor punched our tickets and the night got even better!

 We were all smiles as the train rolled along, looking at the lights and hearing the horn blow  loud and strong

 The conductor taught us history of the train, and even explained why the car we sat in had match strike stains.  We traveled swiftly, forward and even backward, though not going far from where we first ventured.

 Little Rachie drew her name on the window, and Bella woke up long enough to be a part of this family slideshow

All were happy, but Uncle John smelled a Chinese Plot.....

and sure enough, look who met us at the next stop!

PART II - THE CHOIR

In what turned out to be the biggest blessing of the night, after our train ride, the whole family went back to Blount Road, to surprise Mid, Pork and Ann with Christmas carols!

Middie could not believe it!

open up Middie Mom, it's me, Baby Bella!

some were excited....

.....while others looked on

Porkie Pop was in bed, but Auntie Ann ran quickly to wake him.  The look on his face was priceless.

get off my lawn!

PART III - THE AFTERMATH

well, it was quite a night, to say the least...all the family went home well pleased.  But not without fanfare, an afterparty ensued....to the hotel embassy, the family withdrew (few pictures available here, this post went way too long....)
 
 

Cousin Faith was so sleepy she didn't even make it to bed

           And so ended our amazing evening.  Thank you all and especially Aunt Cath!

IT WAS A FESTIVUS MIRACLE!

EXCULSIVE: An Interview with Avery

the following is a real interview with Avery Chapman, porkie pop's physical therapist with PRO (an ATI company).  Normally patient privacy laws would prohibit us from sharing this, but Pork has given us permission to do so.

Team Doughten: what were your first impressions of Pork (Frank Doughten)?

Avery: well, Frank was quiet at first when I came in.  His first words were: "well, what is wong wit my weg."  I assumed he meant what was wrong with his leg and I had to explain that the evaluation would give me the information I needed to answer that question.  He simply responded: "awight."  

Team Doughten: what was his initial complaint?

Avery: "His initial complaint was pain when he laid down in bed for a while or if he stood too long."

Team Doughten: what types of things did you try on him?
 
Avery: "I tried opening him, closing him, tractioning him, correcting his posture, and treating his hip.  I took him through a McKenzie evaluation multiple times and also looked at it from more of a joint perspective.  I also had him do a pain journal looking for provocative positions or a pattern and could find nothing.  I couldn’t get any consistent mechanical presentation or get his symptoms to be consistently reproduced.  

Team Doughten: so what are your conclusions?

Avery: "It’s possible that it was a stenotic problem (which is a narrowing of the bony openings in the vertebrae).  I told him that when he was getting the symptoms to try and sit down in a chair and do repeated bending."

Team Doughten: where do things stand right now?
 

Avery: "well, I discharged Frank last month I believe it was.  Overall I saw him for a few weeks and he told me he was going to see his primary care doctor and we talked about getting more imaging done (I do not recall what he already had) and that if he desired, it may be beneficial to see a non-op specialist.  

Team Doughten: what is a "non-op specialist" and what do they do?

Avery:  "well, they are experts in diagnosing and treating causes of pain.   For Frank, I would probably talk to him about the pain specialist and then check on what imaging he actually had done.  Typically the pain specialists are going to want more than just an X-ray when he goes in there.  My opinion is that he see Dr. Kim who, simply put, is the best there is.  Patients rave about her and she seems to follow a very logical course and make good decisions."

Team Doughten: thanks again for your time Avery and for trying to take such good care of Porkie Pop

Avery: "sure thing, he was a pleasure.  But, is that really his name?"





this interview was re-printed with permission and in compliance of HIPAA and all Delaware privacy laws. 

Family Update

just some news and notes on all things Doughten:

~ Middie's ANC count (the specific part of the white cells that fight infection), was at 0 units today.  they want it above 1.0 or above.  Mid is on a preventative antibodic to help and Porkie Pop/Auntie Ann will be going to the doctor tomorrow to see if they should be on one as well.

~ tomorrow at 6:00 is the great Doughten train ride of 2011, hope you have your tickets!  pictures to come late tomorrow night.

~ Christine is working on posting Bella's christmas photo shoot from a few weeks ago.  It will probably be put up in a few installments due to the number of pics and captions she's putting together.

~ we have a real interview with porkie pop's physical therapist coming in tomorrow's blog pos

ANC ARISE!

Hi, wonderful family, it's Auntie Ann here.  Thank you all for the continued prayers for Mom and Dad.  We thank our God so much for ALL HE IS DOING!!  Now, on to the update:

Middie Mom:

First let's start with the cell count. white, red and hemoglobin, htc came up. PRIASE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!!!

Her platelets and ANC are low and because of her anc (which fights infection), we have to be very careful.  It was 0.1 units which is very low.  Please pray, we know our God can do it!!

Also, her cardiologist appointment was good.  However when we told the doctor about the amount of water she was drinking (5 quarts/day) because of her chemo, he suggested an ultrasound of her heart to make sure it is strong enough to pump out the water.  As such we are decreasing her water intake and would ask prayer that her heart will be strong with the amount of water she drinks.

She is supposed to start her second seven day chemo treatment on Tuesday, January 3rd.  This coming Thursday she gets her blood checked again for Doctors Misleh and Dowling.  So PLEASE PRAY SHE WILL GET A WONDERFUL REPORT as we continue to give God the glory so others will know Him.

Porkie Pop:

PP's legs were hurting so badly tonight that when I helped him get his bath, he said, please hurry, because I can't stand much longer.  We know God is in control of even pain in the legs.  We know our God is stronger than these problems, please keep praying. 

Also, we are posting an interview with Porkie Pop's Physical Therapist tomorrow, so please check back to read it.  There is alot of good information about what he's dealing with and the steps to be taken next.

  


New Years:

We want so much to have everyone here this week.  We 're praying everyone will be well so we can all be together!!!  Mom and Dad really want to do a "mini" New Year's Eve celebration.  Unfortunately right now, we have to wait until Middie Mom gets her blood checked on Thursday.  Paula and I really think it's too much for them, but we'll see.  

We're trusting our God "to do exceedingly above what we can ask or think."  We love you all so much.  Thanks so much for your faithful pryaers and love.   

Please keep pryaing for our little griffie too who had a health situation earlier this week.  

WE praise our God for ALL HE is doing! 

Love and Prayers, Auntie ANN
 

Lam. 3:21-26, Eph. 3:20, Psalm 126:3,

These new verses God gave to Mom one day during her chemo treatment:  we  praise our God for HIS promises.  Mark 5:34, Marck 5:19, Mark 12:11, Marl 5:36

Simply Had a Wonderful Christmastime

Thanks to everyone for helping to make this the happ-happ-happiest Christmas ever for Team Doughten!

it all starts with a visit to Middie Mom on Christmas Eve

everyone smiling about Christmas...well, everyone but Pork

Welcome To Christmas Eve 2011, a 25 year old Tradition!

Uncle Harry looks extremely happy to host the party

The Mothership flanked by her battle group

My first Christmas Eve!  I think I'll celebrate by putting my whole fist in my mouth!!

"that's MY frame!"

I wonder if this is made in China?

great, this thing is made in China!

a picture of aunt cath taking pictures

I love my toy, I think I will eat it!

get that camera outta my face!!

you're not made in china bella!

Go Phillies!

Nice Hat!!

singing to Bella

Wow Grampa Cho-Cho, your nose is HUGE!!

awight, see you all next year!