Have I ever mentioned how amazing I think Abby is? Less than 4 months after collapsing in PE, and only 2 months after getting her new heart, she was able to perform a stress test on the treadmill.....and it was her choice to do it. It reminded me of her first year playing soccer. She was this cute, but tough little 4-year-old kid. She was playing in a soccer game and at half time they decided to call the game because it was raining....hard, it was like a major downpour, and it was cold too. When Abby heard they were stopping the game, she started freaking out! She was so mad, she couldn't believe they would ever make them stop playing and especially when they were losing, she was not okay with it. She threw a little fit right there on the field and refused to leave. I had to pick her up and haul her off the field....and do you think she got over it??? NO, we had to hear about all day long!!! This determination she had when she was just a little kid is what has helped her be as successful through all of this as she has, she's tough and she's a fighter. They wouldn't let me stay in the room with her through the treadmill test, they said kids will work harder without parents being there-that's easy for me to understand after coaching swimming for so many years. So, I left and wandered around, pacing for 40 minutes. When they opened the door, Abby had a huge grin on her face. She said, "I ran.....it felt good!" She said that her legs got tired fast, I think they're pretty weak from not doing much for the last 4 months, but that her heart felt great. She also said that she could actually breathe now. She said that she would have started breathing hard after about 3 minutes before her heart transplant, but she didn't ever really start breathing hard during the test at all. I just think that would be the most awesome feeling ever, she never really knew what running is supposed to feel like until yesterday! Just wait until she's in good shape, she will feel like a superstar!!! Dr. Everitt said that everything looked good, no problems whatsoever! To me, it was just another miracle.
I have to thank everyone for all of the birthday wishes today! It was fun to receive so many texts, emails, phone calls, facebook messages, etc. I definitely felt loved today! I think I'm pretty certain that I will have an easier this year than I did last year. All of our troubles started right after my 40th birthday last year, you know when they say that after you turn 40 everything just goes downhill..... they weren't kidding!!! Hardest year of my life??? By far, there's no comparison; but also the most rewarding too. We spent 4 months living away from home, Britt had 3 knee surgeries, we had financial struggles because of the surgery, I started a new job, and then everything with Abby's heart; but, I've also met so many great new people, made many new friends, had the opportunity to reconnect with many old friends and family, watched my testimony grow, strengthened my family, learned to rely on people, learned everything I could ever want to know about nursing, being a pharmacist, the human heart, and organ donation, listen to Abby's story about the day she died, become close with many people-I consider them family now, be on the news many times (not my favorite, but I had to include it), have the opportunity to see the good in people and how they really want to help, watch a community come together for a sick little girl, recieve the greatest gift that can be given (Abby's new heart), memorize the road signs from Salt Lake to St. George, wear the same bag of clothes for 4 months, and be a part of a multitude of miracles. How can I complain at all about this past year when I have all of these experiences?? I honestly don't think I'd trade it for anything. We also got to be home and together for my birthday, that's all I wanted.
The plan now is to head back to Salt Lake on Sunday night for clinic Monday and then come back to St. George again on Tuesday. We will do this for the next 3 weeks-other than September 24, when all of us are going to go to Salt Lake for the music festival at Daybreak-can't miss that!!! We are going to be optimistic and be moved home on October 1st-remember when we were hoping for Christmas??? Then on October 3rd, Abby has her next cath/biopsy. If things look good then, the transplant team gave us the okay to move back, but we're just going to count on it and move back the weekend before anyway. If things don't look okay and we need to stick around Salt Lake, we'll just have to stay with my brother, he already said that would be great, but we're still just planning on a perfect biopsy. Abby cannot get sick between now and then. There are a lot of people that are sick right now, so please, please stay away if you're sick or if you've been around sick people. We just can't do it now....we have a plan and we want to stick to it.
Things couldn't be looking better for us right now, Abby is feeling great and we're getting so close to being able to move home. Life is good.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Sorry if I made anyone feel bad yesterday
I think I need to try to clarify some of the things I said in my last blog. I was not talking about anyone specifically in the section about friends. I have the greatest friends and people supporting us in the world. I came back to Salt Lake last week feeling that I just didn't have the connections with people that I used to have because I'm not able to spend the time with them. I went to relief society for the first time in a long time, and it was awesome, but I just felt so out of touch....same with when I'm with everyone else. Abby is experiencing the same kind of thing. Anyone that's moved knows just how we feel. The reason that I'm excited to move back is so that I can start to feel that connection with people again. We're not in Salt Lake long enough to hang out with people here, and when I'm home I like to spend as much time with my kids as possible. It's just very in between but only for a few more weeks. I'm sorry if any of you took it personally, it wasn't my intention at all. That is just one of the reasons that I'm so ready to move home. We have had the greatest support in the world, everyone knows that, we would never take it for granted.
Abby's clinic visit today went perfectly, no problems. She is still on schedule for her exercise test tomorrow at 12:30, she's way excited.....me, not so much. Abby has a biopsy/cath scheduled for October 3rd, 2 weeks after she comes down on her prednisone. This will determine whether or not we will be moving home the beginning of October or if they will want us to stay here for little longer so they can watch her more closesly.
Abby's clinic visit today went perfectly, no problems. She is still on schedule for her exercise test tomorrow at 12:30, she's way excited.....me, not so much. Abby has a biopsy/cath scheduled for October 3rd, 2 weeks after she comes down on her prednisone. This will determine whether or not we will be moving home the beginning of October or if they will want us to stay here for little longer so they can watch her more closesly.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
"Michelle, why do you want to move home so bad?"
The question of the week was, "Michelle, why do you want to go home so bad?? what do you expect things will be like when you get there?? Do you think things will be "normal" again?"
No, I don't think things will be like our old "normal," but I think we can make a new "normal" that's even better than the old. Here are some other reasons I want to move home:
-My kids need me. We all love the few days each week that we get to spend together, but it's not enough. We need to be together all the time, in our house, with our dogs and our stuff. It's critical that we get there as soon as possible. I used to think we were a really strong family, but I'm starting to worry, we need to move back....soon.
-I need to get back to 5 am workouts. I can't do it now because I don't like to leave Abby alone, but when we are home, both Britt and Brock will be there in the mornings. I'm getting fat again! I worked so hard a few years back to lose all that weight, and it's slowly creeping back on. I need to spend some time worrying about and taking care of myself again. I can't do that when we are in Salt Lake. All the traveling wears me out, and I'm feeling lazy and gross....just not taking care of myself at all. That needs to change.
-I've got all of the things to do at home and in my classroom that I had saved for summer break and then was never able to do them because we were life flighted on May 18th. I always have a list of things that need to get done over summer break, I never got to my list and it's been driving me crazy!! I'm pretty sure I left everything a big, unorganized mess! That's not okay!
-I want my dogs, I miss them and the kids do too. I know they're happy where they are and probably don't ever think about us, but we need them. There's nothing better than to always have someone wagging their tail and running around in pure joy evertime you walk through the door. I miss that, we need our dogs.
-When we're living in both St. George and Salt Lake and are never in one place very long, it's hard to maintain relationships with friends and family, I can quickly feel them slipping. We're still here dealing with things, while everyone else is getting back to their lives. Abby and I have spent lots of time talking about this and preparing for it. We knew that people that were very interested in us and what we were doing would eventually not be there anymore, things would slow down....but it doesn't make it any easier. You think you know who your true friends are and who really cares about you and who will stick it out and be there, but sometimes you're wrong and it's hard. At least we do understand it and were expecting it, now we just need to figure out how to cope with it. Thank you to those of you that are still sending messages and sticking with us and keeping in touch, we do appreciate it. We're still in the middle of all of this, but I think we'll feel better about it when we get home.
-Traveling is expensive and tiring! I spent almost $700 in gas money last month and put over 5000 miles on my car. I'm ready to just feel settled and not feel like we are hobos!
There are lots of reasons I'm ready to move back, the list could go on, but these are the main reasons. I really am so grateful that we get the 2 or 3 days each week that we do, we are way ahead of where we thought we would be in September. Everytime I'm struggling I just have to remind myself and my kids that we could still be waiting for the heart!! I feel lucky that we get the days we do, and I try to make the most of them...we're just ready to have even more :)
Clinic day tomorrow and exercise test on Tuesday. I'll keep you posted on the results and when they're going to let us go home for this week!
No, I don't think things will be like our old "normal," but I think we can make a new "normal" that's even better than the old. Here are some other reasons I want to move home:
-My kids need me. We all love the few days each week that we get to spend together, but it's not enough. We need to be together all the time, in our house, with our dogs and our stuff. It's critical that we get there as soon as possible. I used to think we were a really strong family, but I'm starting to worry, we need to move back....soon.
-I need to get back to 5 am workouts. I can't do it now because I don't like to leave Abby alone, but when we are home, both Britt and Brock will be there in the mornings. I'm getting fat again! I worked so hard a few years back to lose all that weight, and it's slowly creeping back on. I need to spend some time worrying about and taking care of myself again. I can't do that when we are in Salt Lake. All the traveling wears me out, and I'm feeling lazy and gross....just not taking care of myself at all. That needs to change.
-I've got all of the things to do at home and in my classroom that I had saved for summer break and then was never able to do them because we were life flighted on May 18th. I always have a list of things that need to get done over summer break, I never got to my list and it's been driving me crazy!! I'm pretty sure I left everything a big, unorganized mess! That's not okay!
-I want my dogs, I miss them and the kids do too. I know they're happy where they are and probably don't ever think about us, but we need them. There's nothing better than to always have someone wagging their tail and running around in pure joy evertime you walk through the door. I miss that, we need our dogs.
-When we're living in both St. George and Salt Lake and are never in one place very long, it's hard to maintain relationships with friends and family, I can quickly feel them slipping. We're still here dealing with things, while everyone else is getting back to their lives. Abby and I have spent lots of time talking about this and preparing for it. We knew that people that were very interested in us and what we were doing would eventually not be there anymore, things would slow down....but it doesn't make it any easier. You think you know who your true friends are and who really cares about you and who will stick it out and be there, but sometimes you're wrong and it's hard. At least we do understand it and were expecting it, now we just need to figure out how to cope with it. Thank you to those of you that are still sending messages and sticking with us and keeping in touch, we do appreciate it. We're still in the middle of all of this, but I think we'll feel better about it when we get home.
-Traveling is expensive and tiring! I spent almost $700 in gas money last month and put over 5000 miles on my car. I'm ready to just feel settled and not feel like we are hobos!
There are lots of reasons I'm ready to move back, the list could go on, but these are the main reasons. I really am so grateful that we get the 2 or 3 days each week that we do, we are way ahead of where we thought we would be in September. Everytime I'm struggling I just have to remind myself and my kids that we could still be waiting for the heart!! I feel lucky that we get the days we do, and I try to make the most of them...we're just ready to have even more :)
Clinic day tomorrow and exercise test on Tuesday. I'll keep you posted on the results and when they're going to let us go home for this week!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Good clinic news-in fact, the best news ever!!!
I love it when I start thinking how tired I am, how sick of driving back and forth I am, how much I want to go home, how I don't want to play nurse and pharmacist anymore, how I just want my want my brain to turn off and stop worrying for a second, how I just don't really want to do this anymore.......and then we go to clinic and get great news-actually the best news so far!!! Yesterday they told us that, if things keep looking as good as they have lately, we can possibly move back home the 1st of October! Yep, that's right, only 3 more weeks!!!! I know they told me not to tell anyone yet, just in case, but I couldn't help it....I had to tell!
Abby's biopsy last week was 100% again. On September 18th, she goes to her last taper for her predisone, so hopefully that means no more puffy cheeks. They want to watch her for a couple of weeks after that and make sure she still is okay. We are finally down to having clinic only one day/week now too! We don't have to go back until next Monday-5 days away from PCMC is the longest we've gone since May 18th.
One thing that makes me real nervous is that we scheduled her exercise test for next Tuesday. The thought of her running again stresses me out. They should probably hook me up for an ekg at the same time they hook her up!! It will be interesting, but scary to see how her new heart responds to the stress of exercise. Abby is so excited for this, she's been waiting for a long time, she just wants to run again!! Then we'll really be able to start training for the Doman Dash 5K we'll be having for Abby next May. That means it's time for many of you to start training too. If a 12-year-old kid can run 3 miles only 10 months after having a heart transplant, we all should be able. I have a lot of work to do too, I've never been so out of shape!! It gives us something to work for, we now have a goal, put it on your calendar and get ready with us.
Britt is doing well. She's pretty sore, but recovering. She's spending the week with us because she can't go back to school until Friday and she has a follow up appointment on Thursday, She also has two days of therapy up here this week too. We love having her here with us, it makes us all happier. Britt and Abby have a lot of fun together, there's lots of laughing, she needs her big sister around. We miss Brock a ton when we're here, we all just need to be together all the time again, I can't wait.
One thing I've noticed the past 4 months is that everytime I've reached my limit, everytime I've felt like I'm only hanging on by a thread, something good happens. I'm quite certain that I'm being watched over and that I won't ever be given more than I can handle. What a reassuring feeling this is, I hope I can remember this as we continue to go through ups and downs. When you're a heart mom, things are never "easy", there will always be worries and setbacks, but I know that we can make it through them. When I look back at what we've been through as a family this past year, I know that this next year has to be easier, and I know that I won't be given too much.
Abby's biopsy last week was 100% again. On September 18th, she goes to her last taper for her predisone, so hopefully that means no more puffy cheeks. They want to watch her for a couple of weeks after that and make sure she still is okay. We are finally down to having clinic only one day/week now too! We don't have to go back until next Monday-5 days away from PCMC is the longest we've gone since May 18th.
One thing that makes me real nervous is that we scheduled her exercise test for next Tuesday. The thought of her running again stresses me out. They should probably hook me up for an ekg at the same time they hook her up!! It will be interesting, but scary to see how her new heart responds to the stress of exercise. Abby is so excited for this, she's been waiting for a long time, she just wants to run again!! Then we'll really be able to start training for the Doman Dash 5K we'll be having for Abby next May. That means it's time for many of you to start training too. If a 12-year-old kid can run 3 miles only 10 months after having a heart transplant, we all should be able. I have a lot of work to do too, I've never been so out of shape!! It gives us something to work for, we now have a goal, put it on your calendar and get ready with us.
Britt is doing well. She's pretty sore, but recovering. She's spending the week with us because she can't go back to school until Friday and she has a follow up appointment on Thursday, She also has two days of therapy up here this week too. We love having her here with us, it makes us all happier. Britt and Abby have a lot of fun together, there's lots of laughing, she needs her big sister around. We miss Brock a ton when we're here, we all just need to be together all the time again, I can't wait.
One thing I've noticed the past 4 months is that everytime I've reached my limit, everytime I've felt like I'm only hanging on by a thread, something good happens. I'm quite certain that I'm being watched over and that I won't ever be given more than I can handle. What a reassuring feeling this is, I hope I can remember this as we continue to go through ups and downs. When you're a heart mom, things are never "easy", there will always be worries and setbacks, but I know that we can make it through them. When I look back at what we've been through as a family this past year, I know that this next year has to be easier, and I know that I won't be given too much.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
We are so blessed
How come we are so blessed? Here we are, just this little family from St. George, school teacher and single mom.....just doing our little thing, nothing great or spectacular, not out of the ordinary, just a fairly normal family.......... but we have so many people that are helping us right now. It makes me ask, "why us?" or wonder, "Do we really deserve all of this goodness?" I just have to comment on a few of the great things that have happened lately or are going to happen in the near future. We always feel so loved and taken care of.
-The Car wash at Fargo's. I heard it was a hit, cars non-stop throughout the day. I wish we could have been there, but Abby wasn't feeling her best that day, she needed to rest. Thank you to all of you that spent the day washing cars for Abby. Thanks to Fargo's for hosting it! I hope you all feel like it was worthwhile, it meant a lot to us.
-The Kalamity dance performance at Desert Hills High. We couldn't attend this either because it was a clinic day for Abby in Salt Lake, but we got to hear all about it! I heard that Cammeron Murdoch's words brought to tears to many people's eyes and that the dancing was just incredible. Thank you to all of you that helped put this together and performed, thanks Cammeron for being there and telling Abby's story, and thanks to everyone that attended-we were told it was a full house! Thanks Tia for thinking about us.......again, I've only met you once, but I feel like I've known you forever.
-My aunt and uncle, Janene and Jeff, and their whole family. They couldn't attend the Dash for Donation but participated in their own walk-a-thon for Abby. We loved seeing the pictures of everyone in their yellow shirts. Thank you for the donation too, it is needed. Also thanks to my cousin Paul's daughter, Maddie, that made beaded lizards and sold them for Abby. What a great idea, thank you for spending your time for Abby! Every penny counts, and you made lots of pennies.
-The Northern Utah Mustang Owner's Association. They are in the process of putting together a national mustang car show that will be held at Tuacahn in St. George in April. They are going to donate some of their funds that are raised to Abby and our family. The show is going to be awesome, we can't wait. They had a Utah show last week in Park City and have already started getting the word out about Abby's story. Abby loved sitting in all of the mustangs last week to get her picture taken for the promotion for the car show. We will post pictures of her photo shoot later. Thanks NUMOA for all of things you gave to Abby and for the money you gave us last week-it was fun meeting all of you! We appreciate all you are doing for Abby.
-The music festival that's going to take place at Daybreak in South Jordan on September 24th from 2-8:00 pm. My cousin and his wife have planned this event for Abby and it's going to be awesome. There will be many bands performing throughout the day and they will be having a raffle as well as selling Team Doman shirts and wristbands. I think this sounds like a fun day, we will be there for sure! Everyone is invited, so I hope to see all of my Salt Lake friends and family there, plus anyone else that happens to be there that weekend.
-The Zumba fundraiser for Abby at the Warehouse in St. George. This is going to be held on September 17th. I haven't gotten all of the details, but I know there are some awesome women that are in charge! Thanks Raelee for putting this together, it sounds like fun!
-The fundraising done by my sister-in-law Mel and her family. Having bake sales was a great idea! Thanks to the kids that had lemonade stands too. We are grateful for the time you spent baking and selling things for our family, thank you!!
As you can see, we are so blessed. Before Abby collapsed, I'd always had a hard time accepting help and especially asking for help, I think it was my pride getting in the way. All of this has really humbled me, it's taught me that it's okay to need help sometimes. I hope I've learned to accept it graciously, sometimes it's hard to let people know how much we appreciate them and what they're doing. It can be hard to put gratitude into words. If you've helped us, and I haven't personally thanked you, I am sorry. It's been hard for me to keep some things organized, it seems like some things have gotten past me the past few months. Just know that we are grateful for everything that people have done for us, we are so blessed.
"One thing will always secure heaven for us-the acts of charity and kindness with which we have filled our lives. We can do no great things, only small things with great love." Mother Teresa
-The Car wash at Fargo's. I heard it was a hit, cars non-stop throughout the day. I wish we could have been there, but Abby wasn't feeling her best that day, she needed to rest. Thank you to all of you that spent the day washing cars for Abby. Thanks to Fargo's for hosting it! I hope you all feel like it was worthwhile, it meant a lot to us.
-The Kalamity dance performance at Desert Hills High. We couldn't attend this either because it was a clinic day for Abby in Salt Lake, but we got to hear all about it! I heard that Cammeron Murdoch's words brought to tears to many people's eyes and that the dancing was just incredible. Thank you to all of you that helped put this together and performed, thanks Cammeron for being there and telling Abby's story, and thanks to everyone that attended-we were told it was a full house! Thanks Tia for thinking about us.......again, I've only met you once, but I feel like I've known you forever.
-My aunt and uncle, Janene and Jeff, and their whole family. They couldn't attend the Dash for Donation but participated in their own walk-a-thon for Abby. We loved seeing the pictures of everyone in their yellow shirts. Thank you for the donation too, it is needed. Also thanks to my cousin Paul's daughter, Maddie, that made beaded lizards and sold them for Abby. What a great idea, thank you for spending your time for Abby! Every penny counts, and you made lots of pennies.
-The Northern Utah Mustang Owner's Association. They are in the process of putting together a national mustang car show that will be held at Tuacahn in St. George in April. They are going to donate some of their funds that are raised to Abby and our family. The show is going to be awesome, we can't wait. They had a Utah show last week in Park City and have already started getting the word out about Abby's story. Abby loved sitting in all of the mustangs last week to get her picture taken for the promotion for the car show. We will post pictures of her photo shoot later. Thanks NUMOA for all of things you gave to Abby and for the money you gave us last week-it was fun meeting all of you! We appreciate all you are doing for Abby.
-The music festival that's going to take place at Daybreak in South Jordan on September 24th from 2-8:00 pm. My cousin and his wife have planned this event for Abby and it's going to be awesome. There will be many bands performing throughout the day and they will be having a raffle as well as selling Team Doman shirts and wristbands. I think this sounds like a fun day, we will be there for sure! Everyone is invited, so I hope to see all of my Salt Lake friends and family there, plus anyone else that happens to be there that weekend.
-The Zumba fundraiser for Abby at the Warehouse in St. George. This is going to be held on September 17th. I haven't gotten all of the details, but I know there are some awesome women that are in charge! Thanks Raelee for putting this together, it sounds like fun!
-The fundraising done by my sister-in-law Mel and her family. Having bake sales was a great idea! Thanks to the kids that had lemonade stands too. We are grateful for the time you spent baking and selling things for our family, thank you!!
As you can see, we are so blessed. Before Abby collapsed, I'd always had a hard time accepting help and especially asking for help, I think it was my pride getting in the way. All of this has really humbled me, it's taught me that it's okay to need help sometimes. I hope I've learned to accept it graciously, sometimes it's hard to let people know how much we appreciate them and what they're doing. It can be hard to put gratitude into words. If you've helped us, and I haven't personally thanked you, I am sorry. It's been hard for me to keep some things organized, it seems like some things have gotten past me the past few months. Just know that we are grateful for everything that people have done for us, we are so blessed.
"One thing will always secure heaven for us-the acts of charity and kindness with which we have filled our lives. We can do no great things, only small things with great love." Mother Teresa
Friday, September 2, 2011
Double Surgery Day for the Doman's!!
5:45 am-Leave the house for PCMC
6:00 am-check in for Abby's cath/biopsy. The biopsy was scheduled for 7:30. The plan was for Britt and I to wait until Abby woke up from her biopsy around 8:30, then head out to Jordan Valley Hospital for her knee surgery. She was supposed to be there at 9:15. My dad would stay with Abby and My mom would come with us.
6:45 am-phone call from Jordan Valley asking us to be there at 8:00 because there was a cancellation. I made a quick call to my parents and asked them to be to PCMC at 7:30 instead of 8:30.
7:30 am-my mom and dad showed up, but we're still waiting for the biopsy/cath.
7:45 am-walked Abby down for her surgery, kissed her goodbye, and walked my dad through what would happen the rest of the morning. Took off and sped to Jordan Valley.
8:15 am-made it to Jordan Valley. Checked Britt in, and anxiously started waiting. I think if my phone would have rung during this time,. I would have passed out.....just a little anxiety moment, we didn't need a repeat of May 18th.
9:30 am-Call from my dad. Abby was in recovery, the doc mentioned her cath levels were higher than last time, hoping it wasn't rejection. I just slightly started panicking at this time, especially since another one of Abby's transplant friends is in the cicu right now with serious rejection and complications (she could sure use your prayers, her name is Maya and she's struggling!)
10:30 am-Still sitting in the waiting room with Britt....good thing they made us get there early :(
11:00 am-Call from my dad, Abby's echo looked good. They were waiting to meet with the transplant team in the PHARMACY, because every room in the clinic was full, as well as the waiting room and the hall outside of the waiting room. I knew they were going to have a long day!
11:15 am-Finally, finally, they came to take Britt back to pre-op.
12:30 pm-Britt goes in for surgery. Wow, we waited for over 4 hours.....I decided I will never be on time for a surgery again.
1:00 pm-Call from Abby. Everything looked in clinic, no problems. They're adjusting her meds a little to work on cath level results. They'll call later with biospy results. They're headed home for Abby to work on homework.
1:45 pm-Dr. Beck comes out to talk about Britt's surgery. She had a ton of scar tissue throughout the knee....again. He cleaned some out of the front and the back and a big ball of it on the kneecap. He also cleaned up the meniscus again and made a little incision inside of the tissue to give the kneecap more room to move. Her ACL looks good and stable. Britt has 6 weeks of intense, painful physical therapy 3 times/week. I'm not sure if I'll keep her in Salt Lake with us to do this, or go to St. George....I'm still working on all of this.
3:45 pm- Britt finally wakes up enough for us to be able to go home. She has the biggest brace on her knee I've ever seen. She's in pain, but doing okay.
4:30 pm-Stop at the pharmacy to try to pick up Britt's meds......but there are at least 8 people in line, so because I'm tired of waiting, I leave.
5:00 pm-finally home and both girls are sound asleep.
8:00 pm-It's been a long day. We still haven't heard Abby's biopsy results, but I think that no news is good news, right??? Both of the girls are feeling fine, but tired....me too. Tomorrow morning we are going to go to St. George for the weekend, I need a break and we don't have to be back until Tuesday morning. Brock is playing football right now at North Sanpete High, my parents are watching and called to say he was playing great!! He needs us to be in St. George this weekend too. Britt will be coming back with us on Monday night so she can do therapy next week on Tuesday and Thursday. She also has a post op appointment on Thursday. Abby has her clinic on Tuesday and Thursday next week too, what a fun week we have ahead of us.
Today was not my most favorite day. I have learned to be really patient, I'm getting much better at waiting. But, I wish there could have been 3 of me today, so I could have been with each of my kids when they needed me, that's becoming the hardest part of all of this-I can't be in 3 places at once. At least I know we are getting closer to being able to move home, possibly only 5 more weeks! We can do this, we are staying strong.
6:00 am-check in for Abby's cath/biopsy. The biopsy was scheduled for 7:30. The plan was for Britt and I to wait until Abby woke up from her biopsy around 8:30, then head out to Jordan Valley Hospital for her knee surgery. She was supposed to be there at 9:15. My dad would stay with Abby and My mom would come with us.
6:45 am-phone call from Jordan Valley asking us to be there at 8:00 because there was a cancellation. I made a quick call to my parents and asked them to be to PCMC at 7:30 instead of 8:30.
7:30 am-my mom and dad showed up, but we're still waiting for the biopsy/cath.
7:45 am-walked Abby down for her surgery, kissed her goodbye, and walked my dad through what would happen the rest of the morning. Took off and sped to Jordan Valley.
8:15 am-made it to Jordan Valley. Checked Britt in, and anxiously started waiting. I think if my phone would have rung during this time,. I would have passed out.....just a little anxiety moment, we didn't need a repeat of May 18th.
9:30 am-Call from my dad. Abby was in recovery, the doc mentioned her cath levels were higher than last time, hoping it wasn't rejection. I just slightly started panicking at this time, especially since another one of Abby's transplant friends is in the cicu right now with serious rejection and complications (she could sure use your prayers, her name is Maya and she's struggling!)
10:30 am-Still sitting in the waiting room with Britt....good thing they made us get there early :(
11:00 am-Call from my dad, Abby's echo looked good. They were waiting to meet with the transplant team in the PHARMACY, because every room in the clinic was full, as well as the waiting room and the hall outside of the waiting room. I knew they were going to have a long day!
11:15 am-Finally, finally, they came to take Britt back to pre-op.
12:30 pm-Britt goes in for surgery. Wow, we waited for over 4 hours.....I decided I will never be on time for a surgery again.
1:00 pm-Call from Abby. Everything looked in clinic, no problems. They're adjusting her meds a little to work on cath level results. They'll call later with biospy results. They're headed home for Abby to work on homework.
1:45 pm-Dr. Beck comes out to talk about Britt's surgery. She had a ton of scar tissue throughout the knee....again. He cleaned some out of the front and the back and a big ball of it on the kneecap. He also cleaned up the meniscus again and made a little incision inside of the tissue to give the kneecap more room to move. Her ACL looks good and stable. Britt has 6 weeks of intense, painful physical therapy 3 times/week. I'm not sure if I'll keep her in Salt Lake with us to do this, or go to St. George....I'm still working on all of this.
3:45 pm- Britt finally wakes up enough for us to be able to go home. She has the biggest brace on her knee I've ever seen. She's in pain, but doing okay.
4:30 pm-Stop at the pharmacy to try to pick up Britt's meds......but there are at least 8 people in line, so because I'm tired of waiting, I leave.
5:00 pm-finally home and both girls are sound asleep.
8:00 pm-It's been a long day. We still haven't heard Abby's biopsy results, but I think that no news is good news, right??? Both of the girls are feeling fine, but tired....me too. Tomorrow morning we are going to go to St. George for the weekend, I need a break and we don't have to be back until Tuesday morning. Brock is playing football right now at North Sanpete High, my parents are watching and called to say he was playing great!! He needs us to be in St. George this weekend too. Britt will be coming back with us on Monday night so she can do therapy next week on Tuesday and Thursday. She also has a post op appointment on Thursday. Abby has her clinic on Tuesday and Thursday next week too, what a fun week we have ahead of us.
Today was not my most favorite day. I have learned to be really patient, I'm getting much better at waiting. But, I wish there could have been 3 of me today, so I could have been with each of my kids when they needed me, that's becoming the hardest part of all of this-I can't be in 3 places at once. At least I know we are getting closer to being able to move home, possibly only 5 more weeks! We can do this, we are staying strong.
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