July 27, Friday

Hello everyone,

Here is our weekly update. This is Shelly. The back/leg situation has not been good. It was two weeks ago when the pain really started in and I have been babying myself like crazy, Mike doing the cooking, Lacey running around getting things for me, etc., but it is not healing quickly like it has in the past. I went in for an epidural this morning at the hospital. Only a 50-50 chance it will help. I did have relief immediately from the numbing medicine, but we will see if it works permanently in the next day or so. If not, I will be making an appt. with the Spine Center in Portland when I take Lacey down for the halo removal.

Lacey has been continuing to improve with each therapy session. When she first went in for her Occupational Therapy session and was tested for strength in her right hand grip, she tested 10 lbs, and now she is at 28lbs, which her OT was very, very happy with. Of course as she was at RIO in Portland, she is their little star at the Ketchikan General Hospital Therapy unit. Thank you KGH Therapy staff so much.

We want to send a big thank you to Jennifer and Cheyan Cockrum for shuttling Lacey to her therapy visits. It is so helpful, we can't thank you enough. And of course we want to thank Liz for caring so much for us. Liz hired a housekeeper who came in and did a deep clean at the Dunn household. Mike is a fisherman/hunter, not a cleaner. Thank you Auntie Liz. We love you and look forward to you coming back to stay with us on August 1st.

Anyone that would like to come and visit, just give a call prior to coming over, Lacey would love to see you.

Love and God Bless,

Mike, Shelly and Lacey

Lacey update 7/20/07

Hi everyone it’s Lacey.

First of all, I would like ask everyone to pray for my mom. Her back problem has been very painful and has been keeping her from going to work and doing her everyday things. I really just want her to get back to normal and be pain free so please, pray for her.

Therapy is going really well for me. It’s amazing how much more I can do now. Once I get my halo off I’ll practically be back to normal : ) I feel my biggest achievement in therapy is being able walk up and down the stairs without holding on to the railing. It’s a pretty scary feeling, especially going down. Also, my memory continues to improve and everyday I can remember more and more.

Night before last a bunch of friends came to visit. It was amazing to see everyone and made me really happy. Its ok if people want to come out and visit. I would love to see people.

I want to say thank you to my cousin Erin for my new glasses. I love them! Thank you so much. Also thank you Aunt Nancy for helping us out and taking me to therapy, and just everything you have done. And Jennifer, thank you for taking me to therapy and the much needed coffee. I love you all so much!

I hope everyone is doing well. 26 more days until my halo comes off! ( Not that I’m counting down or anything!) Take care.

Much Love,
Lacey

To Bett and JJ Jakubek

Bett & JJ,

We just wanted to send a personal thank you to you. We appreciate the trip to First Bank that you made, but most of all thank you for your girls. We will never forget the first night at the hospital when Jodi appeared in the waiting lounge and later when both Jodi and Erin came to visit in ICU. It meant the world to us. They were so strong when they saw Lacey and it brought strength to us. It must have been a hard thing to do after what they had been through just a year earlier. We could have easily been in your families shoes, but by the grace of God we were spared. Thank you. We love you.

Mike, Shelly and Lacey

Lacey update 7/17/07

Hello Everyone,

I am semi on my feet today after having been on my back for the past 5 - 6 days. I felt it coming on when we were in Portland, but held off I guess for the big one til we got home and had Auntie here. Who would have thought Auntie would get a spell of vertigo and I would have to be on the floor and Lacey would be taking care of us. She really felt wanted and it was very good occupational therapy to take care of us. The therapists today said she had really improved in so many areas. She is a miracle and a kind hearted person.

I have concluded my research to date and would like to include the entire list of people we have received cards, flowers, gifts and donations from. I would like you to know that every single piece of correspondence that we have received is so appreciated. Lacey went through every card and flower card the other day now that she can remember everything and she was very touched. The donations are very appreciative as they will cover the many trips that we will need to take to Oregon for the surgeries that are not covered by insurance along with other expenses not covered. We can't thank everyone enough for all of your support.

Yesterday Lacey went to see Dr. Nordtvedt and he was very encouraging. No damage at all to her teeth. Thank you Dr. Nordtvedt and staff for all that you have done for us.

Sooo...here is the huge list. If I missed someone, please call me. I want to know who you are.

Love you all. God bless.

Mike, Shelly and Lacey


Al & Rashell Lineberger
Alaska State Troopers, Ketchikan Post
Aunt Cheri & Uncle Cory
Aunt Janet, Uncle Manny, Celena & Joe
Aunt Nancy Dickey
Aunty Pat Durham
Best Western Landing Staff
Carlos, Joey and Vince
Colton, Deb & Greg Haag
Dana and Sue Blouin
David and Linda Deal
Dawn & Marvin Randall
Debbie, Leif, Bailey & Tore 2 cards
Ed Toribio and Marcia Kirby cards
Glenn Hogan
Grandma Mary and Grandpa Meryl
Harriet Richardson
Jamie, Linda, Tommy and Jamie Kay
Jeannette Pittman
Jedd Gould Family
Jeff and Heidi Carlin
Jennifer & Cheyan Cockrum
Jim and Paula Rood Family
Jodi & Erin Jakubek
John and Tonya Rymer
John, Rebecca and Kate Brown
Judee Mettler
Kay Sims and Mike Salazar
Ken, Peg, Brandi and Dylon Beckedahl
Krantz Family
Lew, Vicki, Jodi and Milan
Liz and Harold Kennedy
Liz Orr
Lonna Murray
Major and Mrs. Matt Leveque
Mary and Tom Schulz
Peter, Linda, Christina, Jeremy & Nicole Package
Randy & Cindy Johnson and Alan Dale
Scott, Patty and Sharlie Blouin
Sheila, Vanessa, Erin and Brien
Southeast Stevedoring Staff
Susan McFadden & WOU Dance Class
Terry Wanzer
Tim, Katie, William and Thomas Montgomery
Tom and Dean Nordtvedt
Werner and Gabriel Reinas
Will, Dana, Sean and Alec Kennedy
Alaska State Trooper's-"A" Detachment
Kurt and Sue Ludwig
Rodney and Lisa Dial
David and Linda Deal
Gary Webb & Family
Steve Shern & Family
Marvin & Dawn Randall
Jesse Osborn and Renee
Jason and Andrea Wick
Ron and Denise Whitton
Lonna Murray
Sharon Furey
Richard and Vanessa Nowland
Tina Wood
Jodi Williams
Stephanie Chatham
Bob Claus
Ray Howard
Bernard & Gena Chastain
Clyde and Sarah Campbell
Mark Finses
Jeremy & Kristi Baum
M/M Jesse McCarron
Lorne & Lori Nagy
Ray Streitmatter & family
Kurt Walgenbach
Herv Ibarra
AJ and Laura Charlton
Alyssa & the girls in 3H
Amy Herron
Andy Otis
Beth Updike
Betty Bollert
Bill and Elaine Hallstrom
Bill, Diane, Amanda, Jason and Kendra Hack
Carl and Mary Brown
Chris Ashcraft
Cindy Balzer
Cruise Line Agencies, Juneau
Cruise Line Agencies, Ketchikan
Darren & the EIS Gang
Dawn, Sydney and Haley Nichols
Debi Koons
Don and Jan Ross
Emily & Lenora Eichner
Emily Baker
Eric Tyson
Eric, Sarah & Benaiah Bird
Fran Buchanan
Gary, Jenny & Jessie Webb
Heather Krantz
Heritage Hall Staff
ILWU
Jeff & Kim Langkau and Alicia and Jordan Rymer
Jessica & Tara Hofmann
John Peterson, Ziegler Law Firm
Kay and Rich Andrew
Kendra Fresh
Kristin Rost, Mike Grove and Ray Prentice @ AK Airlines
Leslie, Slade, Tawny Stockli
Lew & Vickie Williams
Linda Paquin and Lisa Krussow
Lonna Murray, Jason Wick and Ron Whitton
Lysbeth Toribio
Madison Lumber and Hardware
Mahinalani Barrows
Margee Shaffer
Marjean Zeiser
Mark & Vicki Heizler
Marlys Hack
Mattie
Mike, Jeanne, Kimberly and Mary Durham
Paula, AJ, Mason, Duncan Slagle
Rita Cassman-Jensen and Family
Robbie and April Whitton
Ron, Denise, Joron and Jaron Whitton
Rosie, Larry, Travis & Taylor Tinney
Sam Spidell
Scott, Julie, Hunter and Chase Franzen
South Tongass Alliance Church-Pastor Cade King
Steve, Leslie, Kendall, Shelby and Stevie Kamm
Taylor and Travis Tinney
Terry, Kim and Axel Hugo
Uncle Jerry and Aunt Brenda Heisler
William Tuttle and Catherine Bersani

The Dunn Women Saga July 15

The women in the Dunn household are not doing so well. When Mike, Harold and I came back from Cape Chacon, Lacey was taking care of Shelly, Aunt Nancy and Kona. Shelly's back is acting up AGAIN....she is in a lot of pain. Aunt Nancy is having her dizzy spells and Kona's leg was hurting her. Lacey was practicing her nursing skills on them. Shelly is hoping today will be the turning point for her pain, because when her back acts up, it is usually 3 days.

Aunt Nancy is leaving on Thursday, so everyone needs to get well, otherwise; we will be down to Mike caring for his girls. It is fun for a while, but then everyone starts starving to death and the coffee cups and cereal bowls start piling up in the sink. Mike washed Lacey's hair for the first time this morning. Mike didn't understand the hair conditioner thing. But now he knows, and he's good to go!! Lacey is doing so well, she is really getting quite self sufficient. Yes!! Jennifer is going to take Lacey to physical therapy when Aunt Nancy leaves, so that will be very helpful.

We had a nice dinner the other night at the Cockrums, halibut cheek tacos with mango salsa. Mike, Lacey, Shelly, Ed and Marcia came and we had a wonderful time. Harold managed to drink most of Russell's whiskey.

I am leaving Ketchikan tomorrow, but I will be back the 1st of August for a few weeks. Take care. Shelly should be back on here in a few days. Liz K.

Lacey July 10th

Sorry it has been five days since our last blog, but we really haven't had much to write about. Lacey continues to improve at home every day. She had her first really busy day at therapy today. She told the Ketchikan physical therapist today that this is a lot harder than what she was used to in Portland and the therapist told her she is in the second stage and improving now, so things are going to be harder.



Mike and Jerry went out fishing this weekend and caught us a lot of King Salmon and dungeness crab. The women of the house were very happy when they came home. They completed their assigned task at the fishing grounds to a tee.



I will do another blog tomorrow, as I am awaiting some information. I want to send a thank you to everyone who has sent something to us since the last time I sent one and am awaiting a little info. Soooooo, will write more tomorrow if I do in fact receive the info.



Love you all and God bless you all,



Mike, Shelly, Lacey and Auntie

Lacey July 5th

I forgot to mention yesterday that Brian Taro stopped by and visited for quite some time and it really made all of us feel very good. He has been a very good friend to Lacey for a long time. Thank you Brian.

Brianna Krantz and Lindsey Tucker also stopped by and brought Lacey a huge card that everyone had signed and visited for quite a bit. Thank you!

Today we had an intense therapy day. We are used to 1/2 sessions at RIO, but had 3 one hour sessions today. Lacey was very exhausted and had to have a nap when we got home. Very impressed with the new Ketchikan facility and with the staff and the therapists.

Tomorrow we go to a doctor at the Wilson clinic for follow up, then 3 days of therapy starting next week. Lacey is doing so well. She is walking in the house on her own now, only needing the cane and assistance to go up and down the stairs.

More later.

If anyone wants to call and say hi, you certainly can. As long as she is up for it, she will talk to ya. It is good therapy for others to hear her voice.

Love and God Bless,

Shelly

Lacey July 4th

okay, have to put a little stop to the cigs and soap saga. Auntie and Lacey do not smoke cigs and watch soaps, just was a little joke between Rosie, Auntie and Liz. Was funny, but I think people really thought they watched soaps. Ha! Anyways.......

Today was a good day. It poured in Ketchikan, so we stayed home all day and did not go to town to watch the parade. Yesterday, Lacey climbed the 5 flights of stairs to SE Stevedoring and saw all the gang at work. She was so happy. We were all doing fine til Judee showed up and brought us to tears. Thank you again Judee. We all needed that!!! Lacey said she is saving her Judee Jewelry til next July 4th.

We are off to therapy tomorrow. I thought I would be able to go to work a little this week, but it is too much. Can't leave my little girl just yet. Saw Dawn and Marvin Randall at Safeway, along with Debbie Short and Marsha Scudero (sorry Marsha, forgot your married name). They know God does work miracles.

Love to you all. God Bless.

Shelly

Lacey July 3rd

We made it home yesterday. We had a two hour delay, as our plane had a fuel leak and they had to find us a replacement airplane. This is a typical day of travel whenever you travel with Shelly. I can't remember a non eventful trip. We are normally overflying Ketchikan and going to Wrangell, or being pulled off the plane due to weight and balance when traveling on one of Liz's or Larry's passes. Ha!

When we passed my work at the troopers, we were so happy to see the gigantic "Welcome Home Lacey" sign. Thank you Linda and the gang for that. It mean't so much!

It was a nice day in Ketchikan and Mike was very happy to see us all after two weeks of separation. He had fresh King waiting for us for dinner. Too bad you had to have toast and jam for dinner Jamie. Our king was so good. :)

No rest for the weary. We are off to the eye doctor today to get Lacey's new glasses prescription filled.

Looking forward to seeing all of our Ketchikan friends and family soon.

Love,

Mike, Shelly, Lacey and Auntie

Lacey July 1, 2007

Hi Everyone,

Hard to believe it is July already, when it seems so long ago when Mike and I left Ketchikan in May. Lacey, Aunt Nancy and I made the 4 hour drive today from Oregon to Gig Harbor. Lacey did really well. Closed her eyes most of the way. Yes, my driving frightens her and many others. Liz and Harold had a wonderful dinner all ready when we arrived. BBQ Beef tenderloin and all the fixin's. Rosie, Larry, Travis and Taylor Tinney and Scott, Julie, Hunter and Chase Franzen all were here to see us. It was a wonderful time.

It will be an emotional time to step off the plane at home tomorrow for us, but we are so looking forward to it. Seems like an eternity since we have been home.

Love and God bless,

Shelly, Lacey and Auntie