Getting Released Today!!

Pops is going to be released today. Yipee! While we are waiting for the doctor to do his last rounds, we got the pleasure of a visit from Orion the therapy dog. He definitely brought smiles to all of our faces. Thank you to all of the friends and family that have come to visit or reached out to our family, we appreciate it more than you know! He's going to have to take it easy for the next few weeks and luckily their ward is providing dinners this week. He's definitely excited to get home!

After Surgery

Pops had his angiogram and they were able to place two stents in one if his main arteries. He has another that is blocked 100% and they are unable to replace it. The doctor feels confident that he will be back to normal with two main arteries fully functioning. He probably won't be released until Monday. He's going to rest for today but if you'd like to visit you can come tomorrow to Jordan valley hospital. Thank you for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers!

And Now Pops...

Yesterday I took my dad to his Doctor appointment because he was feeling very light headed and queasy when he would walk. They took his vitals and immediately sent him to the E.R. There they did some testing and found out that he had had a heart attack. They admitted him for more testing and to monitor him. Luckily last night was uneventful although he wasn't able to sleep much. Today they did an echo test which concluded that he has an issue with his heart. We're not sure if it's another artery blocked (he had double bypass surgery about 14 years ago already) or if its something that might be able to be fixed with a stent. They are going to do an angiogram tomorrow morning to find out more and if it is something that they can fix with a stent they will do that while they're already in there. I took mama to the hospital to see him today as it is very hard for her to not be there with him 24/7. We're going in tomorrow morning to be with him when he goes into testing and I will update once we get some results. Everything so far has led to the conclusion that there is an issue with his heart but they have yet to find out exactly what is causing it. Please pray for our family!
Today the roles were reversed...

She's Tubeless

Mama met with her surgeon today and the drain tube that was in her back was removed. She is so excited to be done with the constant pain. She went to my Grandpa's birthday celebration last weekend and it was great to see her out and about. Her physical therapy is still going well, they had her walking up and down the driveway a few times which was nice for her to get outside and walking. The next obstacle to overcome is her knees. They are so stiff and sore each time she walks so hopefully the more she walks, the better they will get. I'm proud of you mama, keep giving it 110%! We would like to say thank you to Chelcee and her cute family for making house calls to cut mama's hair, we appreciate it and love you!

The Little Engine That Could

Mama had her appointment with the surgeon today and got some good news. The surgeon has given the okay to pull the PICC line which is scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday afternoon and they are planning to remove the drain next Tuesday. The abscess that was on her left side looks as if it's gotten smaller so the surgeon believes that it will go away on its own. YIPEE! She is going up the stairs with some help fairly well and today on the way to the appointment, she walked up the stairs and out to the car with her walker instead of being in the wheelchair. She also was able to sit in her wheelchair in the waiting area as well as during the appointment without feeling as if she was going to pass out. Another plus! This week is my brothers birthday and no one can make Danish Dessert quite like mama can so she sat up in the kitchen for 3 hours and with the help of my dad, made his favorite dessert for his birthday celebration. She's doing so well and I couldn't be more proud of her! You are one amazing person mama, we all love you to the moon and back.

CT Scan

Mama had her CT scan today to see if they could remove the drain. Unfortunately there is still fluid under her right rib so they are going to keep the drain in for now. She has an appointment on Tuesday to meet with the surgeon and discuss the results of the CT scan in detail. The good news is they have stopped the TPN feed which means she will be able to have the PICC line removed soon! She has been doing very well with her physical therapy despite the tube in her back that causes constant pain. She was able to walk up four stairs in their house on her way out to the appointment today. She's making great progress and the only thing holding her back now is the fluid under her rib. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers and thank you to all that have come to visit her or contacted her. It means a lot to our family!

Follow up Appointment

Mama had her follow up appointment with the surgeon and the drain is still draining. She will have a CT scan next week to see the progress and possibly even remove the drain (if it has fully done its job). She will have her blood drawn and tested today, if it comes back with no issues they are going to cut back her TPN to every other night and then next Thursday, remove the PICC line. She is feeling more positive about things as she progresses. She also had an assessment done with physical therapy as they have to report back to the insurance company if she has been making progress or not and she passed with flying colors! She was able to walk around the room a few times, get up off the bed and couch without the help of her walker and she even tackled one stair which she hasn't tried before. She'll be up and down those steps in no time! I am so proud of her for how hard she pushes herself to get up and moving. I love you all to parts mama!

Seventh Surgery Complete

Surgery is complete and mama has a drain on her right side to help with the infection. There is another small pocket of infection on her left side but we've been told that it is too small to get to at this point, we don't know if that means another drain at some point or if it could resolve itself... She is doing pretty well but in pain at this time. The plan is for her to stay at the hospital until this evening to make sure she's doing well enough to go home. She's also been working with a physical therapist 3 times a week and her improvements are amazing! She is now able to walk around the room multiple times with her walker as well as get herself up from sitting on the couch (which was quite difficult in the beginning). She is getting so much stronger and I can't wait for her to get back to doing every day things, including shopping for some clothes that will fit her now that she's lost so much weight :) She continues to amaze me!

Surgery... again

We just heard from the surgeon that the abscess on mama's right side is infection. She's going to have to go in for surgery to insert another drain. She's struggling with this as the last drains were difficult and she was too weak to be sedated during surgery. Hopefully that is not the case this time and that it'll be easier for her to overcome this obstacle. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers to get over this quickly and continue her recovery.

Meeting with the Surgeon

Mama had an appointment with a new surgeon today in order to continue her TPN (nutrition feed). It went well except for a new pain on her right side which is in the area of where the third pocket of infection was that they couldn't insert a drain into. The surgeon ordered a CT scan so they can find out more about the pain, hopefully it's not the infection. Even though she does have the pain, she is continually getting stronger. Superbowl Sunday she took more steps than any of us have seen her take before. She is trying her hardest to get better but these set backs are ruthless. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. All of these appointments and procedures are very hard on her physically and mentally. You can always do a little more than you think you can, I love you mama!

No More Tubes

Mama had her second doctors appointment since the drains were inserted in December and they have now removed both of the drain tubes. That is good news as far as no more draining needed for the infection at this point. She is currently receiving nutrition and fluids through a picc line to keep her hydrated and hopefully this will help her get stronger by getting the nutrition that she needs. Even with the drains in, picc line, low blood pressure and malnutrition, she attended her grandson's baptism. The look on Logan's face said it all, he was so grateful that she was able to be there on his special day. She is doing well at this point but she could still use your thoughts and prayers to continue with her recovery and hopefully there will be more ups than downs from here on out. Love you mama, stay strong!