First … Trina’s grandma Betty was diagnosed with terminal cancer(s) and we made the decision to care for her. Because the grandparents live in Walnut Creek – this meant the whole family had to travel back and forth for approx. 4 months. Also, her grandpa, Bob Koury needed care, too. For Steve and I (mom and step-dad) this meant 3 people to care for full time, so all other issues surrounding “life” got pushed out! Grandma passed away on October 30th 😦 However, we are all at peace because she is not suffering any longer and she is with God. We held her service in Walnut Creek just after Thanksgiving.
Next … we were preparing to get our primary residence back. Many of you know we had not been able to get our tenants out (we had to rent our home out during the time we were at Trina’s hospital down south) and finally we had the plans in place to move back in on December 1st. Everyone knows how fun it is to move, so that was time consuming and very, very difficult. The tenants refused to leave because they loved the home and we thought they took care of the place. Upon moving in, it was filthy. Carpets ruined from dogs, etc. So, this move became a horror and more time consuming and costly trying to SANITIZE it to move in where it was safe for Trina. We took a whole week of cleaning everything before moving in just to be sure it was all done properly. And, they never paid their deposit, so this was all on us!
Finally … December was not only our move, but we took Trina to Disneyland. This had been a dream to allow her that kind of stimulus. It was incredibly difficult as we did take her on a couple of rides but we never anticipated that she really could not “sit down.” She would not bend her knees. When she sits on our laps, she just falls back with us holding her. On rides you have to sit and bend. Everyone was patient with us and she smiled with all the excitement everywhere, so it was SO worth it. It showed us that we can travel with her, but the amount we have to pack due to her medical supplies, etc. can make it overwhelming. We set the hotel up like a hospital! The hotel gave us a catering table to set up all the meds, etc. and so it made it doable. As soon as we got back, Trina had a dental sedation at Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento and at the same time we celebrated her 24th birthday, then we just enjoyed Christmas.
Poor little Trina with her dental surgery. She cannot tell us if she is in pain. And, though I try to brush her teeth daily…it is very hard to do and she fights it. During this sedation they took x-rays of her teeth and learned she had a huge infection in one tooth, so they extracted it. AND, they filled MANY fillings plus fixed a chipped tooth as well as “dug out” tartar, etc. out of the gums. OUCH! She actually CRIED during recovery. We had never seen her cry since in this condition. Our hearts sank. But, we were thankful to have discovered there were these problems in her mouth and that they were corrected. Medi-cal only pays for this every 2 years, which isn’t enough. This time of care is what we hope donations will help cover on this website. Anyone who can help, even in a small way, please simply go to the DONATIONS section of this website. All help is appreciated.
I am so THANKFUL that we were even able TO DO all of the above while caring for her 24 / 7. God has given us tremendous blessings and strength. There have been some who have criticized us for caring for the grandparents as it was “too much” due to our circumstances, but we believe that doing the right thing – whether there is a personal sacrifice to it, is the way to live right. The time with my mom and Trina’s time around Grandma and Grandpa … well, it was precious. And, by helping you can move forward without regret!
Thank you for your continued prayers. By the end of the year (soon) my goal is to come back on and add year-end pics of all of the above months of activity :). Blessings to all, Trina’s family
Trina Leigh 
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