Thursday, May 31, 2012

Home away from home

Well mom was discharged on Saturday (1 day short of 2 weeks).  They brought in the suitcase (lol) of pills she is going to have to take, holy moly its alot.  Dad has to do her blood pressure, weight and temperature a few times daily. The Transplant Pharmicist gave him all the info he needs to give her the meds, and what exactly they are and will do.  Let me tell you this, they have a lonnnnng road ahead of them. Her potassium was a little high and her sodium was low, so they were working on that.  She slept super good in her own bed though.  Sunday, Melissa and Juan drove down for the day and hung out..I know mom really wanted her hair washed, so I bet that was nice.  On Monday, after not feeling very well, they decided to take her back up to the hospital, where they did the necessary tests and sent her back home.  On Tuesday she went to her scheduled clinical work and they discovered that she was 3 liters low on fluid.  So after they did the IV she felt alot better.  She went for PT on Wednesday, and that was a little hard for her due to the lack of muscle mass.  BUT she is still off oxygen and her sats are staying in the mid 90's....super awesome.  But everyday she is getting stronger and stronger.  She is eating better, in fact Dad told me last night that she had steak..  LUCKY MOM
  Alicia (and family) will be coming from Washington on Monday (I believe) and staying for a few days, that will be wonderful. Mom and Dad havent seen her for a few years and have never met her husband and a few of the kids. Uncle Mike and Aunt Jeanne are coming on Friday the 8th and staying a couple days.  And  Derek, Sheena, and kids will be going back down the 8th - 11th  for a visit too.  So it will be nice to have help for dad.  Not that he needs help, but some additional people to visit with.  (I hope I worded that right). Thanks again for all the support you all have given. 

Prayers were definately answered.

P.S.  I dont like begging, so please dont take it that way, but the Paypal Donate button is still up for any donations to help with living and medical expenses.  .

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Came to see mom

Well hello everyone. I came down to see mom last night and she looks amazing. I havent seen her since right after. She was up and walking (not alot mind you), was soo nice to see! She goes to workout and doesnt need O2, her stats stay at 94-96! Right now they are trying to figure out the right med combo...her sugars are a little high and her potassium is up. So they are working on that. They say she might get discharged today (crossing my fingers). She is tired of bein there! I willl keep you updated on that status!!!!

Monday, May 21, 2012

Update :)

I decided to wait a couple days in between blogs..so I am sorry if you were expecting one yesterday.  They did a bronc scope today to check for infection and they said it looked great. She is still off O2 most of the time (unless like this morning when she was mildly sedated).  She sounded great on the phone tonight, good spirits, and silly!  She is trying to eat high protein foods to build up some energy.  Her one big complaint is her head is itchy..she cant shower until they take the monitors off (maybe tomorrow) and she said those "stupid shower caps dont cut it".  I asked when she thought she would leave the hospital and she said that they had said "maybe a couple days".  WOW.  Dad said that they were going to take her tubes out today (forgot to ask about that).  I also asked her if it felt different to breath, her response "its hard to explain, its like learning to take normal breaths again, and breath the correct way instead of short fast breaths" but in the end she said yes.   I find modern medicine truly amazing....my poor mom didnt think she would make it to christmas, and now she has a whole new look on life.   What a blessing for all of us, especially her and dad.  
Dad...he is having a hard time adjusting to this new life..he isnt sleeping so well. (Understandably so).  I hope he finds some peace when she gets out, and is able to relax a little more. And not have to run up to the hospital and back and so on.   But I do know that he would not change this for the world...
Ok well I guess thats it for today...I will keep you posted...

P.S. I just wanted to remind everyone of the donate button on the right side of the blog, if you can, we appreciate it.  If you cant, we understand... Thanks

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Day 7

Well she kind of had a rough night...was in some pain but they gave her morphine and that helped. Her white blood cell count was up today so they did some tests and gave her a general antibiotic to fight it until the tests come back with a pin pointed reason (should be a couple days). On the bright side she has been off oxygen all day and she walked 100 feet with no oxygen and her stats were 98%. Woohoo! When I talked to her earlier she was in good spirits and she is resting good tonight! They say she is doing better than they ever could have guessed!!! Love you mom!!

Friday, May 18, 2012

Day 6

Well she continues to impress us!! She is now able to eat solid foods, im sure she was starving. They had her oxygen completely off for a while today, but when she sleeps and takes her pain meds her oxygen stats drop down...but thats ok..another step in the right direction! I think they have her pain meds under control now..such a relief! She has been moved to the 4th floor, room 4109. She also has her cell phone now, if you want to give her a call. I know that several of you were asking to send flowers..now you can. She is at the University of Utah hospital Room 4109. Thanks again!!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Day 5

Well she had an "ok" day.  I talked to her for a minute this morning and she said "I feel like crap".  Made me sad.  They were messing with her pain meds a little and I dont think that helped.  We expect ups and downs, if this is a down then well take it.   They took another tube out today, so that is good.  And they took the oxygen off for a few and she did great.  She is on 1 Liter of oxygen most of the time.  She went for a couple walks today, and the second one was fantastic, they turned the oxygen down to .75 and her stats were 100%...Wooohooo.   Dad said she is still pretty tired but they dont want to send her up to a normal room until all the tubes are out. (Nurses said its because the nurses on the 5th floor arent near as cool as stepdown ICU nurses).   I think all in all she is doing wonderful. 
I have put a donate button on the right side of this page (the money goes into a paypal account I have set up just for her), if you feel like helping, that is most appreciated!! I know times are tough and some of you may not be able too, and thats ok.  I just know how much gas and money it takes down there, and I was hoping to we could help them out a little.  Anything helps!! 
Thanks again...See ya tomorrow!!

Pictures

So glad to get dad smiling.  (i was making faces at him) :)


 

Thought i would share this...We had this taken a little while back.     Such fun.    Love you all!!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Day 4

I dont think I can express how proud we are of mom...she is still doing fantastic. She walked again today and even went a little further. Her oxygen is set to 2 liters which it was at about 8.. pre-surgery. The plan is to not need oxygen at all. The put a new IV in her arm today so that they could take the one out of her neck. She is so glad to have the tube out of her mouth so that she can talk, she is not near as raspy now. They moved her to a intermediate room, but still in ICU. This is great because now she's sleeping like a log, getting much needed rest. That is the only thing that she complained about, all the noise of everybody in the ICU. The hope know is that she will be in a regular room tomorrow.... keep your fingers crossed!!!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Day 3

She is still doing incredible. She got the ventilator out today..yay..boy did she talk and talk , and is doing wonderful breathing on her own. If she does well should be out of ICU tomorrow. They had her walk today and she walked 100 feet. Wow! I am truly impressed at the strength and courage she has. She is being her silly self!!! Dad is tired..but is a trooper. We are making him get some rest tonight! Thats all for today but I will update you all tomorrow!

Mom says hi

Monday, May 14, 2012

Day 2

She is doing wonderful..she sat in a chair for a bit today and writes and writes and writes. She still has ventilator in so she gets frustrated cause she has so much to say. The hope us that she gets the tube out tomorrow. Nurse said that she is initiating the breaths..which is great and the machine is just assisting! They will keep decreasing the amount the machine assists her!
I cant tell you how proud we are of her. She is soooo strong! We love you momma!!! <3

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Day one with new lungs

Just went back up to see mom after a much needed nap and she looks fantastic. She woke up and wanted so badly to say something and attempted sign language we came to the conclusion she wanted dad back in the room. So he came back in and got her to relax a little. Its so hard because she wants you to stay with her..but she gets aggitated because she wants to visit. So after several hand kisses and forehead kisses we left so she could just relax! Doctor says her new lungs are beautiful, and that she is doing remarkably well! We knew she was a tough lady but wow!!
Love you mom and happy happy happy mothers day!

Done!!

Just got the last call...They started the surgery at 2:30 a.m., then called us at about 4:45 and said her old lungs were out and they were getting ready to start the new. They just called at 6:30 and said they were closing her and she was off life support. The lungs were working on their own...so great! She will still have the breathing tube, but that's ok. They will take her into ICU at 9, and im not sure how long. Will update again soon!

Saturday, May 12, 2012

At the hospital!!

Well I came to SLC to see mom and dad for mothers day..and we went to go to dinner at Joes crab shack..and no kidding as soon as we ordered drinks...SHE GOT THE CALL. So off we went, got here in no time.  Super nervous, super anxious, super... well everything! Derek, Melissa and families are on their way. And dad...well he's pacing, but hanging in there! They say the surgery will take 8-10 hours..but I will definitely keep you all posted as this unfolds. Say a quick prayer for her! Love ya all!

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Mothers Day Weekend

Hey all,

Brandon, the boys, and I are getting excited for our long weekend...We decided to take Friday and Monday off and stay with mom and dad in SLC for Mothers Day.  And Melissa and Juan are coming Sunday and leaving Monday (darn work anyways).  Derek, Sheena and the kids are going the week after (i believe).  We are attempting to go monthly, hopefully it works out that way. 

I would like to thank the Golf Course for their donations.  I am taking that with me this weekend to give to them.  (It was a secret but...oops i might have mentioned it :-x )

Heres a little quote that i believe whole heartedly:

Again thank you all for your kind words and support... Be sure to click the follow link for up-to-date posts.
 
<3

Friday, May 4, 2012

Week One in SLC


Hello friends and family.  First let me say that I know now why we live in Idaho!!!  These people are crazy. lol

I’m not exactly sure how the stars got lined up the way they did, but when we bought the 5th wheel last summer, the time seemed right to start setting the stage for retirement.  We really kind of expected to go a little further south than SLC, at least for the winter, though.  Little did we know…..!!!  Also last summer, we sold 5 acres of ground and paid off all of the credit cards.   Again, little did we know…..!!!  What I can definitely say now is that had these things not occurred, I’m not sure we’d be here now, able to retire earlier than planned, and have a place to live without trying to rent an apartment on a fixed income.  So…in spite of my illness, we are blessed as well. 

Anyway, we’ve been in SLC for nearly a week.  Between running back and forth from the hospital to getting our 5th wheel live-in ready (vs. camping ready), to arranging for new oxygen deliveries and swapping out equipment, it’s been kind of a busy week.  We’ve started Support Group classes and I’ve had my orientation with my pulmonary therapist.  I’ll be going to exercise three times a week at the hospital which should be interesting since I can’t walk to the bathroom very easy.  I do what I can though in order to be as strong as I can be for the transplant surgery.  I just pray that the “call” comes sooner rather than later. 

Dan and I both are trying to get into some kind of a routine and get our “stuff” where it needs to be in this temporary home.  It’s harder than one would think, but I expect it will all work out, until then, we both feel a little unsettled. There is a golf course just up the road that Dan has tried out a couple of times.  I'm glad, he needs to get away and relax once in a while.  

Well, that’s about it for now.  Hugs and kisses to you all!