UGH

Well medically she is doing wonderfully!!!  Her performance is at 70%, volume is 86%, and so far there is no declines.   Her sats are all good too.   She still struggles with the nerve that runs to her stomach, but its getting better.   She also has "the shakes" a little from her meds, but that was to be expected.  

Now for the UGH!!  They found out that their Fifth Wheel (which they just bought last year) is made with "green" products.  Which for most that is good, why not recycle.  But for mom that is BAD!!!  Doc said that they have to either get a new one or find somewhere else to live.   Well most of you know rent in SLC is not cheap.  So the only option is trading their fifth wheel in and get a new non-green one.  Lets just hope they have paid it down enough to not be upside down in it.  
AND for the other UGH!  The RV Resort they are staying at raised their rate.   They had a medical rate which was wonderful, but the good times are over.  The owner said the rate was for short term, not long term sooo they doubled what they were paying.  
They can pay this, I dont want it to seem like they are poor, but it just seems like for every good there is a bad.   And while she did get one hell of a break, I was just hoping for it to go smooth for them while they were there. 
Soooo, while mom isnt strong enough yet to go camper shopping, dad is out and about trying to find the perfect one for them, and when he feels he has done so, she will check it out too.   She is getting stronger day by day...and cant wait until she can do all of the things she loves again.

I also wanted to mention the Potato Fundraiser:  I know I have asked for donations before, but I figured that atleast this way you would get something for your money :).  
We dont want to seem needy or anything,  but as you all know, ANYTHING helps.  And right now any way I can take the stress or burden off them....I WILL!    I appreciate everything that everyone has done....truly from the bottom of my heart....THANK YOU!!!!!!

this was mom at Joes Crab Shack

Officially 1 Month Out (plus a few days)

Well i haven't updated blog for a week because I wasn't sure what exactly to say.  A few people have asked how she looks, but i haven't seen her since she was getting out of the hospital.  BUT- Braedon and I decided to rent one of the cabins and come down for a night to visit for Fathers Day.  And let me tell you, she is doing AWESOME.  She looks really good.  She still is a little weak, but getting stronger.
Medically:  Other than a nerve intestinal healing issue (basically when they opened her up, they had to move all the nerves and intestines over to get to the lungs, and it takes a while to get those working properly again), she is right on track (actually ahead of schedule).  She does Physical Therapy 3 times a week, Clinic/Doctor visits once a week, Blood work/Meds once a week (unless meds need adjusted).  She still has to do her temp, weight, blood pressure every morning and night, but that is it.  WOW not too bad for what type of surgery she had.  Another amazing thing is: She had to do her 1 month rejection biopsy:  They put a tube down her nose and looked at both lungs with a scope type thing, then put the biopsy pincher thing on and took little nips of different areas of both lungs (I apologize for not knowing the correct terms).....and guess what..........NO REJECTION at all!!!!!!!!   wooooohoooo
 I still can't wrap my head around the fact that it is even possible to do that invasive of a surgery.

If it wasn't for the wonderful person that agreed to be a donor, I don't know how much longer my mom would be here.  That is hard for me to fathom, and I can't express my gratitude for them and their family.  I feel sorrow for them, but thankful at the same time.   I hope the family received some peace knowing what their loved one did for sooo many people.

Dad went golfing today and Braedon, Mom and I are just hanging out and visiting.  We are going to try and do a "take 2" on the Joe's Crab Shack idea.  We told her "please no more episodes, or Braedon will cry because he really wants Crab".  HAHA   (If you don't know the story, we were at Joe's getting ready to order when "the call" came in).

I have to personally thank a couple more people:
Bob and JoAnne Eustice (Gail's aunt and uncle):  Thank you for the wonderful donation.  I received a couple cards from JoAnne and it was wonderful to hear from her.  I remember her from when I was a little girl.   Thank you SO much.
Sondra and Leonard Hinckley (Golf course friends):  Thank you sooo much.  My mom is overwhelmed with the thought that are are such wonderful people out there and can't begin to express her gratitude. Thanks for the donation.

And thanks to everyone for asking about her, it truly means alot.  And PLEASE keep saying a prayer for her.

A BIG Thank You!!

Well its been a few days since I have updated this...I apologize for that, but I dont want to seem redundant.   Mom goes a few times a week for therapy, blood work twice a week, and doctor once a week (down from twice a week..yay).  When she goes in for the blood work they adjust her meds accordingly. They did adjust one of her rejection meds, which made her weak and shakey, but they will find the right "cocktail" in due time.  As far as the doctor visits, she used to go twice a week, but since she is doing soo well she gets to go once a week.  She is still leaps and bounds above where they thought she would be.  We are soo very proud of her. 
She still is on no oxygen, and infact they took the tanks out of the fifth wheel.  She hated packing those things around, infact she would say the hose was her leash.  No more leash mom!!

They have had a bit of company lately: 
Thomas (oldest grandson) dropped in for a surprise visit this last weekend. 
Alicia (oldest daughter from Washington) came with her family on Monday.  This was the first time mom and dad had met her husband (Jeff), and they have nothing but wonderful things to say about him. They brought 3 little ones, and Alicia's second oldest boy Dillon.  I wish the weather was a little warmer for them.  They will be heading home on Friday. 
Uncle Mike (Dads brother) and Aunt Jeanne came Wednesday for a few days.  Its been a few years since they have seen them.  I know they went out to dinner last night, I sure hope they had fun.  Maybe Mike can sneak dad out and go golfing or something. 
Derek (Son), Sheena, and kids are going to be there on Friday and staying until Monday.  I hope the weather warms up some so they can enjoy the pool.  Evan and Skylar really had fun swimming there a few weeks ago.  
We are trying to stagger visits so that they dont get bombarded with all of us at the same time. It costs quite a bit to go down there and stay or we would be there more often. 

I would like to thank everyone for following the blog and sending prayers our way.. I know the power of prayer works and I know in my heart that it worked again. 

I also would like to thank a few people individually:
JHGC (with the help of Jeff/Lori Girton) - Thank you ALL for you loving donation.  You have been great friends to our family for some time now and we love you all.
Richard Caummisar - Thank you sooo much for the donation. I dont know you personally, but mom does, and she thanks you immensely.
Carol Eustice - I know you are related to us, but just because of the last name. I would love to meet you.  My family is very grateful for your donation as well.
Craig Leatham- I am soo grateful to know you.  And I know mom and dad feel the same way.  Thank you for your donation and support.  So blessed to have friends like you.
Christy Smith - You are a wonderful person.  I wish you all the happiness, and cant wait for you to get back to the states!  Thank you soo much for your donation for aunt gail. 

Thanks again for all the support!! 

P.S.  A few people have asked for their address to send cards, here it is:
Dan and Gail Brown
P.O. Box 16403
Salt Lake City, UT  84116-0403