Solutions a Plenty

I woke near 2am. Couldn’t stop thinking about Ken's horrendous predicament. After tossing and turning for several minutes, I decided to get up and head downstairs where I made myself a bowl of cereal and then played around online for about an hour. Feeling adequately tired again near 330am, I headed back up to bed. Fell asleep fairly quickly.

Allowed myself to sleep in until almost 630am. Was still a little tired but rested enough to get up and get my morning going. Completed calisthenics and then delivered Mindy’s coffee. It was then that she reminded me that she didn’t need to be up. She planned the day off to take Bella to a doctor’s appointment. Oops! Sorry!

I didn’t give myself a lot of time to play around online, but since I was up in the middle of the night not much had changed story-wise. After a meditation and stretch, I got out the door for a run after Jacob and friends were picked up from the bus stop. Even though I wasn’t out the door until almost 715am, it was still in total darkness, at least at the outset. Ran the full 4.1 miles. Felt a little stiffer than I might otherwise prefer, but still better than the morning before.

Fried some eggs and packed a lunch. Headed up for a shower around 815am. Mindy was up by then and planned on getting in the shower right behind me. Before leaving for the office I grabbed the new toilet flange that dad brought over as well as my measuring tape. I planned a stop at Home Depot at lunchtime. I figured to be heading up to Riverside hospital sometime during the afternoon as well, though I didn’t have a specific time.

It was forecasted to reach well into the 60s that afternoon and stay that way through Tuesday. More single digit cold on the way, however, as well as a chance of significant snow by Wednesday. Typically early spring weather swings. With a ski vacation still ahead of us, I haven’t been pining for spring weather like some. But I am hoping that April is warm and sunny.

Arrived at work near 910am, and was quickly settled and busy. Boss showed up near 10am. Mindy and I exchanged several texts, her sharing some of Bella’s stats after her doctor’s appointment. More specifically her height and weight. She’s 55” and 77lbs. I asked Mindy to tell her that she’s grown 2.5” since June ’13 (9 months) Not bad for a kid that says she’s never going to grow. 

Mindy soon asked if there was a update on Ken. At the time I had nothing more. She then asked if she could stop by after dropping Bella and see my office and meet my boss. Ugh! How could I refuse? I asked my boss if it would be OK if she stopped by for a brief visit. Absolutely. I gave her the nod. Said she’d stop by within 10-15 minutes.

Mindy sent a text once she was in the lobby. I went down to get her. Quickly introduced Mindy to one of my peers as well as my boss. We then chatted for the next 10 minutes or so. It just so happens that my peer’s husband is a teacher in the same school district as Mindy and just down the road, though he teaches high school. I showed her around the building a little and then took her in to meet another former boss/VP. We talked for 5-10 minutes about all sorts of stuff. In all, the visit was no more than 25-30 minutes. Mindy headed off to shop and I got right back to work.

I stayed busy until 115pm or so and then made a quick drive to Home Depot hoping against hope to find a an easy solution to our toilet debacle. By then it was partly sunny and trying to warm-up but there remained a chill in the air. Certainly nowhere near the mid 60s. Guessing it was about 50. Headed to the plumbing aisle where I searched for solutions on my own. Within minutes I was very encouraged, finding three different solutions that didn’t involve much if any reworking of the toilet’s drain stack. At first I thought I would buy all three and then return what I didn’t use. One aisle over I picked up a new water inlet line too, only this time the flexible style. While perusing the options, I an employee came up offering help. Decided to share my dilemma and the solutions I’d already carted. He pointed to the simplest, easiest one and shared that it was the only way to go. The others, while they’d work weren’t optimal. One, for example, was a push in adapter that would actually reduce the drain size at the inlet to 2-5/8” which is a code violation. The other required cutting the lip of the conduit with a zip saw and sliding a new 4” collar over the top and of course gluing it. The easiest and most practical was a two-piece flange ring that is made just for replacing a corroded integrated flange. No fuss, no muss. I was thrilled with my findings and the advice. Opted to take it. At least for the time being it seemed like the repair would be far simpler than originally thought. I headed back to the office by 2pm.

Before all else, I washed my hands then grabbed my packed food from the fridge. Enjoyed lunch while getting busy again with work. Got an email back from my buddy’s wife sharing the latest. It wasn’t too good. Apparently the swelling moved to the left hemisphere of his brain, so they had no choice but to rush him into surgery. Holy smoke! I was terrified. Within the hour I made plans with Mindy to head up to the hospital to see him. We agreed to go after a quick dinner.

I left the office for home around 445pm. By then the weather had improved markedly from where it was just a few hours earlier. In the sunshine at least, that ever-present chill was gone. Talked with my dad on the brief drive home sharing what I found and purchased to make the toilet repair. He was eager to hear about it.

Got home very near 5pm. Save for a couple stubborn piles of snow out front - one near the front stoop that doesn't get sun until June or July and then another at the foot of the drive that just a couple weeks ago rose at least three foot in the air - the snow was finally gone. Hooray!

Bella's pal Emma was over. Haven't seen her since last fall even though she lives just down the street. She agreed to have dinner with us. I enjoyed a burrito and taco. Had the kitchen cleaned up by 550pm. Suddenly very sleepy, i took a brief nap from the recliner. Mindy and I readied for a visit to see Ken at 610pm. Left the kids home alone. We didn't expect to be gone for too long.

Oblivious to the ICU's visiting hours, we arrived at Riverside hospital near 630pm. We stopped in the family waiting room where we met up with Ken's wife, several other family members as well as a few other co-workers. Ken's wife, Lori let me know that we just missed visiting hours but still offered to walk us back to see him real quick. Along the way she provided the most recent status and then some.

Ken's eldest son was in the room and sitting at his side holding his hand. He looked distraught, though one could hardly blame him. Ken was out cold, his head wrapped in a large gauze bandage where they'd only recently done surgery to remove part of his skull to relieve brain pressure. We learned from Lori that it might be a month or more before they replace it. Until then he'll be outfitted with a helmet but not until the swelling subsides. It was tough to see such a big strong guy like that. I found it difficult to speak without getting choked up, but soon managed to muster a few encouraging words just in case he could hear me.

After asking if it was OK, Mindy gave Spencer a hug. We walked back to the waiting room where we hooked up with all the others. Lori was most gracious and surprisingly strong, though I guess she has to be for her sons sakes. At length, she shared pretty much the entire story, how/when it happened and everything that's transpired since Saturday evening. As rough as Ken appeared, I told Mindy and Lori that if anyone could make a full comeback it was Ken. He's one of the most determined people I have ever met. Just try telling Ken that he can't do something that he badly wants. He'll prove you wrong every time. He's also one of those guys that is always there when you need him. He's helped me with countless task, both work and pleasure.

I finally met his father-in-law, Pat who he's talked about for years. He was very entertaining. Spencer eventually opened up a little too, sharing with Mindy and I his ongoing college plans which includes a transfer to San Diego State. He's a very unique young man - gifted too. According to Lori, his younger son, Logan is in a bit of denial about what happened. Doesn't want to visit at the hospital until Ken's conscious and able to communicate. I'll say this, Logan loves his poppa, even idolizes him. I am sure it's awfully hard for him to see and accept this as his dad's fate. Hell, it's hard for me.

We walked out with the family, and since Lori was parked near us, we continued our conversation on our way to our cars. Offered help in any way possible. We both gave her a hug. Again, I am amazed at her strength and positive attitude.

One important thing she shared was that earlier that day Ken was able to communicate that he knew who she and a few others were. Uttered a few memories of what happened too. She said he even joked a little. All of this meant his cognition seemed unfazed. Lori shared that most of the damage, at least now, seems to be motor skills and especially his left side.

Mindy and I headed for home. Admittedly, I was still a little shaken up by the whole thing, but then again, who wouldn't be? Back at the house I quickly changed into my PJs then decided to tackle the toilet repair. Originally, I thought I might wait and do it Tuesday morning after everyone was gone to school and before I headed across town. Changed my mind. Gathered my repair parts and headed up. I let Mindy know that I would likely need her help when it came time to place the commode back onto the drain flange.

I made sure the two-piece flange would seat nicely around the drain. It did. No need for the 1/4" spacer I bought. Once in place, I fastened the flange with four wood screws. Hollered for Mindy to come assist. We did the guest toilet last summer. She knows the drill. Had a little trouble getting the new wax seal to stick to the bottom of the toilet bowl but after three tries it seemed to stick. Together we carefully placed the toilet into position onto and over the drain. Wisely, I'd already replaced the water inlet line. All that remained was tightening the nuts on the toilet bolts and then attaching the water line. I excused Mindy.

A few minutes later it was time to test out my hand work. I hollered for Mindy to fetch a flashlight and go to the garage to watch for leaks while I turned on the water and gave the toilet its first flush. Success! Had to tinker a bit with the flush lever chain to get it right but other than that, it was all good. I still needed to cut the bolts just above the not so the decorative plastic caps would snap on. Figured I'd wait a day or two for any settling. Guessed I might have to tighten the nuts a little more after some use. Wise man!

I didn't feel like it, but instead of leaving all my tools out, I took 10 minutes to put everything away where it belongs. Otherwise, those things have a way of sitting around for a month or two. Had the job done, my tools put away, and the bathroom looking good as new by 830pm. Plan to leave the rather small hole I cut into the garage ceiling exposed for a couple weeks just in case. Besides, I really need an 8' step ladder to reach the work area comfortably. I plan to buy one. It's something I've been eying for a few years. It'll come in handy when painting or doing any work in our rooms with vaulted ceilings. Storage is at a premium around our house though. That's my only concern.

Felt a little grouchy after completing all that work. Stayed in the living room reading all by myself. Mindy headed to bed around 9pm. She gave Bella orders to head to bed by 930pm. I stayed up until 1015pm reading, thinking, playing on the computer. Before heading up to bed I went ahead and booked our hotel room for the night we arrive in the Couv. Not sure why, but decided to wait and book the 2nd night, which will be the night before we leave to come home.