Thanks for your patience

Dear friends,

As some of you may know, I haven't really been around for the last month or so. For the last several weeks, I haven't taken any clients, or bothered to update the blog. This time, there is good reason.

At the end of August, my father became extremely ill. Although he is 89 years old, he has been extremely active and incredible shape for his age. He and my mother live independently, and he is able to care for his house and property, and also stay active in the community. That came to an abrupt halt recently, when my father became ill.

It was literally overnight when he went from being very active, to being unable to hold a spoon. He could not dress himself, walk, stand, speak without slurring his words, or do any basic task without help. As a family we were very concerned, and feared that he had suffered a stroke. A trip to the urgent care clinic made things worse when they said his condition was beyond their diagnosis and referred us to the local ER. It was there that my father was treated horribly. It was if they diagnosed his problem as just "really old age", and that it was "just his time". They suggested we take him home, and if he recovers, it would be on his own.

Well, as a family, we weren't going to take that. We involved his primary care physician, who suggested a CAT scan. While waiting for the results of the scan, dad's health continued to decline. It was at this point, my sisters showed me just how strong they really are. One of my older sisters, Ann, browbeat my dad's insurance company and got them to state that dad needed to be admitted to the hospital. Only after that did we see some action.

So, after 4 days of suffering, my dad was finally admitted to the hospital for reduced kidney function and dehydration. It was there he underwent a battery of tests. He had multiple blood draws, X-Rays, more CAT scans, ultrasounds of the carotid artery, EKG tests, and MRI. Everything came back negative. Neurologists were called in, but they couldn't diagnose a problem. Their best guess is that he had an allergic reaction to some medication. He had developed some sores on his back and legs that seemed consistent with that diagnosis, but not all of his symptoms could be explained that way. Dad was in great pain, and the hospital put him on morphine.

As a family, we were worried. We called in family from out of state, and set up around-the-clock vigils in dad's hospital room. After two days in the hospital, my dad was pretty much unconscious the entire time. He couldn't keep his eyes open for more than just a few seconds, and really couldn't talk. The family feared he was slipping into a coma. It was devastating.

As the family was coming to grips that this may be the end, something miraculous happened. The following day, Dad was able to keep awake for up to an hour at a time. He could even talk a bit, but his voice was so strained it was hard to make out the words.

Each day after that, Dad got progressively better. He went from being catheterized to using a bedside urinal. Slowly his strength was returning. He began to sleep well, eat with some help, and move his limbs. Small progress in the big picture, but as a family we were thrilled. The hospital then told us Dad would be discharged to a nursing home, to see if he could recover and eventually go home.

3 days later, dad had a huge setback. In the middle of the night he was rushed to the cardiac ward. His blood pressure was spiking, and his heartbeat was erratic. That lasted for a few more days, while the doctors tried to find a solution. Once again, it miraculously cleared itself up.

Last week, we moved Dad to a nursing home. He began physical and mental therapy. His vision, and hearing, is reduced, and he is not as strong as before. His speech was still slurred, and he couldn't do basic math like counting pocket change. My father, the WWII veteran, father of 14, and a farmer for his adult life, was frustrated. Thankfully, he is a fighter. He continues to push through to recovery.

My mother and I are with him daily. I bring the kids with me when I can, and my sibling show up when they are available. Dad's determination and strength of will is inspiring. After one week in the nursing home, he is almost 100% recovered. His doctors have just told us that he can go home on the 21st.

This whole ordeal has been a massive strain. I've had clients waiting on proofs, and others I couldn't schedule sessions while this was ongoing. I'm so grateful that everyone has been so understanding. It helps far more than I can express to know that I don't have the demands of work while dealing with a stressful family situation.

I thank you all for your patience, and the good will. I'm hoping to restart sessions in October. Don't be surprised if one of my first clients is my father. For some reason, I'm thinking I just don't have enough pictures of him and my mom. :)

Kyle

I was fortunate to be able to get Kyle into the studio this week. He had come to me with a request for a portrait to use in his application for Army Officer Candidate School. I was more than happy to oblige. Of course, I also needed to get some other shots of him as well so that he could give to his family.

Kyle is a good kid, and I'm sure he will do well. I'm very proud, and happy, to see young men like this willing to step up and serve their country. The Army is not a commitment to take lightly, especially during a time of conflict. If selected, Kyle is very likely to spend some time in a combat zone.

God Bless Kyle.

Another good cause

A friend of mine, who is a fellow photographer, recently lost his brother-in-law (http://blog.sur-realphotography.com/2009/08/making-a-difference/). To help cover costs for the family, he has asked for my help, which I'm all too willing to give.

So, he has organized a raffle as part of the Haban benefit, with each ticket only costing $10. I'm donating to the raffle a free in studio session for an individual, or single family. I'm also throwing in a free 16x20 print and a 20% discount on any other images taken during this session. The session and 16x20 print alone is worth over $400, so getting all that for $10 isn't too bad. :)

Tod donate, just click the link below (in the note's section please identify that this is for the Haban raffle, and you wish to purchase a ticket for the prize donated by "Brian Downer Photography"):

Time to give back

I've always felt like I'm a lucky guy. I have an incredible wife, 3 fantastic kids, and a dream job. During these tough economic times, where many people are struggling, I'm in the enviable position of watching my business grow. No doubt about it, I'm blessed.

So, I feel compelled to do something for others.

Here is what I am offering:

• 3 hour, in-studio, photo session for an individual or single family at 1/2 off my normal reservation fee. ($200 value)
• Free 16x20 mounted print ($140 value)
• 35% discount on any A' La' Carte print items
• 35% discount on custom framing

Basically, I'll give my customers a 50% discount off an in studio session, plus a free 16x20 mounted print, as well as other discounts. 100% of all proceeds from these sessions will be donated to NILMDTS. 20% of any "non-fundraising" sessions during the month of July will be donated to NILMDTS as well. To qualify, all you need to do is mention the July Charity drive.

For information on NILMDTS, please go here (please note that this website contains images of terminally ill children):

http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/

Back to work

It's been a really great three week vacation, but the time has come to get back to work. I'm really looking forward to it, as it feels like forever since I took some pictures of someone other than Megan. :)

We have received a ton of well wishes, and we appreaciate each and every one of them. Megan and mommy are doing fantastic. The baby is gaining weight fast, and growing like crazy. Mom has been letting me spend some great quality time with all the kids while she goes off to rest. Nothing like daddy-son and daddy-daughter time to make you put the world back into perspective.

Birth Announcement complete

Earlier this week I decide to put together Megan's birth announcement to be sent out to friends and family. I do this type of stuff quite often for clients, but it seems that when it comes to my own family I run out of time to get stuff done. Thankfully, I've taken off much of the month of June to stay home with the family and to help Mom get some rest. Somewhere in there, I found a couple free hours to sneek off and design this card.

For this announcement, I decide to use one of the earlier images. I'm still working on some fine art pieces, but you really can't predict a newborn's behavior. As of right now, Megan hasn't been interested in "posing" for some of my more artistic shots. I'm not giving up, but I really need to get it done ASAP as she is changing daily and is loosing that "new baby look".

The shot above is just the front of the announcement, and there are more pictures on the back side. The announcement is being printed on Pearl press paper, which is just awesome stuff. It has this really great texture and has a interesting look when light skims off the surface.

One proud papa!

What an angel. She is just so perfect. This little one is definitely going to be "daddy's girl". She just sleeps in my arms in the most contented fashion.



Thanks to everyone for all the well wishes. Mom and baby are doing fantastic. With any luck I'll be able to get some fine art shots tomorrow!

My son has been such a good helper (shocking!). My other daughter just adores her baby sister, when she wants to, but also has developed a bit of jealously because she doesn't have 100% of mom's attention. A few incidents of acting out, but other than that she has been a really good girl.

I'm just so blessed.