Abby was lucky enough to be able to visit with the Make-A-Wish people yesterday. I'm so glad she got to do it when Britt was in town, I just wish Brock could've been here too. When we got there, we sat down with her wish granters, Mike and Pat, and munched on some of Abby's favorite snacks while they got to know her a little bit. We then got a tour of the place, it's pretty incredible. There are pictures hanging on the walls of all of the kids that have been able to make a wish, and a description of what they wished for. Out in the back is a wishing pond, they gave us each little wish tokens to throw in the pond. Abby and Britt decided to save theirs and put it on a chain to wear, not me...I made a wish and tossed mine in.....moms get wishes sometimes too!! Then we went upstairs and played the wishing board game to help Abby try to choose what she wanted to wish for. After the game, Abby had to write down her top 3 choices for wish and put it inside of a little capsule. While she was writing her wish, we all wrote down something that we wished for Abby. We read these to her in the wishing room, and then she was given these to keep. In the wishing room Abby sent her wish capsule to the "wish wizard" to see if it could be granted. Sounds kind of cheesy, but I bet little kids eat it up! Abby's top wish was for her family to be able to go on an Australian cruise, her second choice was a shopping spree. But, later that night she started having doubts about her wish. I think that Abby's a little nervouse to travel to far from PCMC, nervous about all of the germs on a plane and a cruise ship, she's not allowed to swim for another year, and she'd have to wait a long time, at least 6 months until her wish could be granted; So, today, she'll probably switch her wish and go on a shopping spree!! Britt is still trying to convince her to meet Justin Beiber, thank goodness Abby doesn't want this!! I just want it to be Abby's wish, it has to be something she wants. She commented on facebook that "sometimes, when you get what you want, you can't decide." She's having a hard time making up her mind, I think I would too! When she finally makes up her mind, I will let you know.
After almost a year, and 2 surgeries, Britt's knee has still been giving her a lot of trouble and pain, so yesterday I took her to an orhtopedic specialist in Salt Lake. He told us she needs another surgery! As soon as I heard this, I said schedule it as soon as possible so we can get it taken care of before we move back to St. George. So, Friday, I get to spend the morning with Abby at PCMC getting her cath/biopsy and going to clinic, then I take Britt to Jordan Valley to have her knee surgery. Hopefully, the timing will work out. Abby should be first in the cath lab, and Britt is scheduled last on Dr. Beck's surgery schedule.....I just hope it will all work out, It will definitely be a stressful day. I always hate when Abby has her cath/biopsy-I'm nervous the whole time, and the last time I was sitting with Britt waiting for her knee surgery was when I got the call that Abby had collapsed at school. I just want Friday to be over with. The good news is that Britt will be able to spend next week with us while she is recovering, the bad news is that Brock will still have to be in St. George. I don't know if we'll be able to go to St. George this weekend either, it just depends on how Britt is doing. I'll also have to miss Brock's football game this week. When I look back at everything that we've been through this past year, I can't help but think, "haven't we had enough??" When does it become too much?? I think this might be it for me, I think I've reached my max... after this surgery, it's time for things to settle down for us, we deserve it.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Pictures
Hey it's britt! Here are some pictures!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
How can this not be a miracle?????
This past weekend, I had a person ask me if I truly believe that what has happened to Abby the past 3 months is a miracle. They said that if there can be 4 heart transplants in less than 2 months at one hospital, then what makes Abby's story be a miracle?? How can it be a miracle when it happens all the time?? All I had to do was to look back at some of the events of the past 3 months again......
First, let's just think about the timing of some of the things that have taken place:
-May 18th was one of a just a few days that year that I wasn't in school....thank goodness I wasn't there, that would have been a fiasco
-I had just signed Britt in for her surgery-they were just getting ready to take her back and put her under anesthesia when I got the call
-My classes had just finished all of their CRT testing the day before and I had already finished finalizing all of my grades
-My parents had their car packed for a trip to San Francisco and were just pulling out of the driveway to head to Vegas to catch their plane when they got the call to go to the emergency room
-Abby just happened to collapse and her heart stop beating in PE, as she was running right past her coach who had completed a CPR training a few months earlier. She could have collapsed anywhere at anytime and there wouldn't have been anyone around, this is such a miracle!!!
- I didn't have to worry about missing school, there was only one week left until summer vacation
-Abby got her heart July 12th, one month before Britt and Brock had to be back to St. George for school, they were able to spend time with her during that critical time.
-I have to be back to teaching the first part of November so I don't lose my insurance. The date we were told we could probably move back if things keep looking good just happened to be......the first part of November.
-We found a place to stay in Salt Lake that just happened to be only 8 minutes away from PCMC, was vacant, was furnished, was only one story (Abby couldn't do stairs) and was right next door to the owner who was willing to help us out with what she charged for rent-thanks Shiela, you're a lifesaver!!
-We found someone that wanted to live in our house in St. George (thanks Vandermydes!!) and are willing just to stay until we are ready to move back. They also offered to pay exactly what we were asked to pay in Salt lake, hmmmm.....coincidence??
-We could be back, living in our house in St.George only 5 months after abby collapsed-definitely ahead of my Christmas prediction!!
-The first weekend we were allowed to spend in St. George was the same weekend as Brock's season opener football game!
-Abby was up walking around only 2 days after her transplant and left the hospital after only 10 days!!! 4 weeks later she was able to walk a mile and kick the soccer ball again!
*****This one is my favorite-We got the call that there was a heart for Abby only 10 hours after Brittany and Brock got to Salt Lake after being in Hawaii for 10 days.
Here are some other things that I think are miracles too:
-2 of the officers that arrived at the scene and helped to save Abby told me that they were pretty certain she wasn't going to make it, it didn't look good. But then, after 2 shocks, her heart finally started beating again-they both told me it was the most amazing thing they'd ever seen.
-Abby's heart that was 2 1/2 times the normal size, and so sick and damaged, sustained her for almost 12 years.
-There were 4 people at the school who knew how to do CPR and were ready to assist when needed.
-My sister-in-law has worked for Intermountain Organ Donation for many years and was able to help us understand many things we didn't know.
-I moved schools just last year, and that wasn't an easy decision....now I know why I needed to.
-I spent the school year forming close relationships with many people that became so important through all of this. Every one of them played a vital part in all of this in different ways.
-We moved to St. George 6 years ago. This is important...we've really needed the support we've gotten from our community, I know we wouldn't have gotten that support anywhere else.
-We just happen to have a lot of family and friends in Salt lake. We definitely needed that support while we were there too! It would have been so much harder for me without having all of you there for us.
-I went through the temple just last September, it had only been 8 months. This greatly influenced my understanding of the events that took place, I would have had a much harder time understanding and accepting what happened and is still happening.
-We have survived this and are still hanging in there today. When I look back at some of the things we've been through in the last 3 months, I'm shocked that we are still standing strong.
But the very greatest miracles to me are:
-Abby's experience that she talked about a little bit on the Mormon Times show on KSL. There's much more to this story, and she'll be ready to share it with more people soon, right now it's just too sacred and personal.
-The decision that someone had to make to donate a heart of their loved one after they passed away. This decision saved Abby's life.
-The fact that Abby has another human beings heart beating inside her right now and that once it was placed in her body it just knew what to do. It was created to know how to function on it's own.
-Abby. Enough said. Her attitude and determination and happiness through all of this is definitely a miracle.
You decide. To me, each of these events are miracles, although some of them I also consider tender mercies from the Lord. I look back at what's happened to us and I think, "how can this not be a miracle??"
First, let's just think about the timing of some of the things that have taken place:
-May 18th was one of a just a few days that year that I wasn't in school....thank goodness I wasn't there, that would have been a fiasco
-I had just signed Britt in for her surgery-they were just getting ready to take her back and put her under anesthesia when I got the call
-My classes had just finished all of their CRT testing the day before and I had already finished finalizing all of my grades
-My parents had their car packed for a trip to San Francisco and were just pulling out of the driveway to head to Vegas to catch their plane when they got the call to go to the emergency room
-Abby just happened to collapse and her heart stop beating in PE, as she was running right past her coach who had completed a CPR training a few months earlier. She could have collapsed anywhere at anytime and there wouldn't have been anyone around, this is such a miracle!!!
- I didn't have to worry about missing school, there was only one week left until summer vacation
-Abby got her heart July 12th, one month before Britt and Brock had to be back to St. George for school, they were able to spend time with her during that critical time.
-I have to be back to teaching the first part of November so I don't lose my insurance. The date we were told we could probably move back if things keep looking good just happened to be......the first part of November.
-We found a place to stay in Salt Lake that just happened to be only 8 minutes away from PCMC, was vacant, was furnished, was only one story (Abby couldn't do stairs) and was right next door to the owner who was willing to help us out with what she charged for rent-thanks Shiela, you're a lifesaver!!
-We found someone that wanted to live in our house in St. George (thanks Vandermydes!!) and are willing just to stay until we are ready to move back. They also offered to pay exactly what we were asked to pay in Salt lake, hmmmm.....coincidence??
-We could be back, living in our house in St.George only 5 months after abby collapsed-definitely ahead of my Christmas prediction!!
-The first weekend we were allowed to spend in St. George was the same weekend as Brock's season opener football game!
-Abby was up walking around only 2 days after her transplant and left the hospital after only 10 days!!! 4 weeks later she was able to walk a mile and kick the soccer ball again!
*****This one is my favorite-We got the call that there was a heart for Abby only 10 hours after Brittany and Brock got to Salt Lake after being in Hawaii for 10 days.
Here are some other things that I think are miracles too:
-2 of the officers that arrived at the scene and helped to save Abby told me that they were pretty certain she wasn't going to make it, it didn't look good. But then, after 2 shocks, her heart finally started beating again-they both told me it was the most amazing thing they'd ever seen.
-Abby's heart that was 2 1/2 times the normal size, and so sick and damaged, sustained her for almost 12 years.
-There were 4 people at the school who knew how to do CPR and were ready to assist when needed.
-My sister-in-law has worked for Intermountain Organ Donation for many years and was able to help us understand many things we didn't know.
-I moved schools just last year, and that wasn't an easy decision....now I know why I needed to.
-I spent the school year forming close relationships with many people that became so important through all of this. Every one of them played a vital part in all of this in different ways.
-We moved to St. George 6 years ago. This is important...we've really needed the support we've gotten from our community, I know we wouldn't have gotten that support anywhere else.
-We just happen to have a lot of family and friends in Salt lake. We definitely needed that support while we were there too! It would have been so much harder for me without having all of you there for us.
-I went through the temple just last September, it had only been 8 months. This greatly influenced my understanding of the events that took place, I would have had a much harder time understanding and accepting what happened and is still happening.
-We have survived this and are still hanging in there today. When I look back at some of the things we've been through in the last 3 months, I'm shocked that we are still standing strong.
But the very greatest miracles to me are:
-Abby's experience that she talked about a little bit on the Mormon Times show on KSL. There's much more to this story, and she'll be ready to share it with more people soon, right now it's just too sacred and personal.
-The decision that someone had to make to donate a heart of their loved one after they passed away. This decision saved Abby's life.
-The fact that Abby has another human beings heart beating inside her right now and that once it was placed in her body it just knew what to do. It was created to know how to function on it's own.
-Abby. Enough said. Her attitude and determination and happiness through all of this is definitely a miracle.
You decide. To me, each of these events are miracles, although some of them I also consider tender mercies from the Lord. I look back at what's happened to us and I think, "how can this not be a miracle??"
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Just some random thoughts.....
Can you believe that we've been living in Salt Lake for a little over 3 months now....that's more than 1/4 of the year!! To me, it feels like we've been here for much longer, it has been the longest, hardest 3 months of my life......but, we are getting closer to going home :)
I've always loved watching my kids play sports, and right now it's football season and I get to watch Brock play football. He's always been so much fun to watch.... he's big, he's tough, and he's good. I've never seen a kid love a sport like Brock loves football. He's loved it since the first time he played when he was 7-years-old. I don't think he's ever missed a football practice in his life, and I'm pretty sure he's the first one to get to practice and the games and the last one to leave every day!! I am so grateful that Abby is doing well enough now that I will get to watch Brock play. Once again, the timing was perfect. The first weekend we were able to go home was the same weekend as Brock's 1st game......funny how things keep happening that way for us, how can you not believe that someone is taking care of us through all of this??
This is the first month, in I don't even know how many years, that I'm not going to earn a paycheck. This is hard for me, it makes me question my worth right now. I know I need to be doing other things right now, taking care of Abby is the most important thing I can be doing, but it still just doesn't feel right. Especially now, I am so thankful for the fundraising that has taken place to help us through this time. It makes me able to focus on other things, the more important things, until I can get back to work.
Abby is feeling so good, you would never know that she had a heart transplant only 6 weeks ago. She's only on oxygen during the night now, woohoo!!! We've been packing those tanks around for the last 3 months! Every time we've left the house the past couple of days, we've felt like we're forgetting something, but I really don't think it will take too long to get used to it again, it makes things so much easier! Hopefully, Abby will never have to hear me say, "Abby, have you checked your tank," or, "Is your tank ready??" ever again!! And I really don't miss hearing the hum of the concentrator all day, it seems so peaceful! She's also tapered off of many of her meds. She's down from 6 extra strength Tums to only 2, and she's also on only half of her blood pressure meds, she's also down from 35 mg of predisone to only 10 mg/day; hopefully this means her puffy cheeks will start going down too!! She only has to take meds 3 times a day now instead of 4. We've been going on long walks every night, and we bought a new soccer ball yesterday, I think it's time to start kicking it around again. I'm just shocked at how fast her recovery has been. We still have a long way to go, this will never be easy, but it's getting better. She wants to run so bad, but it's still going to be a couple of weeks. They want to wait until her next cath and biopsy and then if things look good, they will her have do treadmill test. Honestly, I'm in no rush for her to run again. The thought of it freaks me out just a little bit since that's how this all began, but she thinks she's ready, so I guess I need to get ready too.
This week we realized that we really don't have that many days left in Salt Lake! If we are only here 4 days a week, and we move back in the middle of October, that's only about 30 more days here! Rather than feeling like it's prison being here, we're going to try to do as many fun things as possible. Yesterday we spent the day in Park City. It was the first day that all of the kids were back in school, so we really felt like we were ditching! It was awesome. We've also been going getting caught up on movies. We are going to try to do something fun every day . Some of my plans are the Planetarium, the state capitol, This is the Place monument, the aquarium, the Natural History museum, and drive up the canyons.....maybe we can even go on walks there too. If you have any other ideas, please let me know! We have a lot of people to visit with here too, it will be sad when we do move back, it's been fun to see all of my Salt Lake friends and family!! But, I do know that we will still be coming here often for Abby's appointments, so it's not like we are moving forever. We will be frequent visitors to Salt Lake probably for the rest of our lives!
Last weekend I was finally able to see the amazing donor book that Ann Bany made for Abby's donor family....it is incredible. Ann, I could tell how much time you spent on that and we don't even know how to thank you. You did an incredible job, you definitely have a talent!! I also couldn't believe how many people signed it, thank you everyone! If you haven't been able to write a note in the book to Abby's donor family and you'd like to, just let me know and we can arrange it. It's still in St. George now, there were some people that still needed to sign it there, but I will bring it to Salt Lake next week. Hopefully, I'll hear back from the donor family soon so that eventually, I'll be able to pass it on to them.
Things are good, really good. I'm looking forward to the day when we are back in our house with the kids and the dogs all there together, but I'm happy with being able to go home every weekend.....this will work for me. I feel like I'm more able to keep the connection with Britt and Brock and keep in contact with our friends and family there. But, I also know how important it is that Abby is still close to PCMC and her doctors here. It seems like it's a perfect solution for everybody! I pray every clinic visit that Abby continues to accept her heart and heal from the surgery so we can stick with this plan. Thank you everyone for your continued thoughts and prayers, it's so obvious theya re working :)
I've always loved watching my kids play sports, and right now it's football season and I get to watch Brock play football. He's always been so much fun to watch.... he's big, he's tough, and he's good. I've never seen a kid love a sport like Brock loves football. He's loved it since the first time he played when he was 7-years-old. I don't think he's ever missed a football practice in his life, and I'm pretty sure he's the first one to get to practice and the games and the last one to leave every day!! I am so grateful that Abby is doing well enough now that I will get to watch Brock play. Once again, the timing was perfect. The first weekend we were able to go home was the same weekend as Brock's 1st game......funny how things keep happening that way for us, how can you not believe that someone is taking care of us through all of this??
This is the first month, in I don't even know how many years, that I'm not going to earn a paycheck. This is hard for me, it makes me question my worth right now. I know I need to be doing other things right now, taking care of Abby is the most important thing I can be doing, but it still just doesn't feel right. Especially now, I am so thankful for the fundraising that has taken place to help us through this time. It makes me able to focus on other things, the more important things, until I can get back to work.
Abby is feeling so good, you would never know that she had a heart transplant only 6 weeks ago. She's only on oxygen during the night now, woohoo!!! We've been packing those tanks around for the last 3 months! Every time we've left the house the past couple of days, we've felt like we're forgetting something, but I really don't think it will take too long to get used to it again, it makes things so much easier! Hopefully, Abby will never have to hear me say, "Abby, have you checked your tank," or, "Is your tank ready??" ever again!! And I really don't miss hearing the hum of the concentrator all day, it seems so peaceful! She's also tapered off of many of her meds. She's down from 6 extra strength Tums to only 2, and she's also on only half of her blood pressure meds, she's also down from 35 mg of predisone to only 10 mg/day; hopefully this means her puffy cheeks will start going down too!! She only has to take meds 3 times a day now instead of 4. We've been going on long walks every night, and we bought a new soccer ball yesterday, I think it's time to start kicking it around again. I'm just shocked at how fast her recovery has been. We still have a long way to go, this will never be easy, but it's getting better. She wants to run so bad, but it's still going to be a couple of weeks. They want to wait until her next cath and biopsy and then if things look good, they will her have do treadmill test. Honestly, I'm in no rush for her to run again. The thought of it freaks me out just a little bit since that's how this all began, but she thinks she's ready, so I guess I need to get ready too.
This week we realized that we really don't have that many days left in Salt Lake! If we are only here 4 days a week, and we move back in the middle of October, that's only about 30 more days here! Rather than feeling like it's prison being here, we're going to try to do as many fun things as possible. Yesterday we spent the day in Park City. It was the first day that all of the kids were back in school, so we really felt like we were ditching! It was awesome. We've also been going getting caught up on movies. We are going to try to do something fun every day . Some of my plans are the Planetarium, the state capitol, This is the Place monument, the aquarium, the Natural History museum, and drive up the canyons.....maybe we can even go on walks there too. If you have any other ideas, please let me know! We have a lot of people to visit with here too, it will be sad when we do move back, it's been fun to see all of my Salt Lake friends and family!! But, I do know that we will still be coming here often for Abby's appointments, so it's not like we are moving forever. We will be frequent visitors to Salt Lake probably for the rest of our lives!
Last weekend I was finally able to see the amazing donor book that Ann Bany made for Abby's donor family....it is incredible. Ann, I could tell how much time you spent on that and we don't even know how to thank you. You did an incredible job, you definitely have a talent!! I also couldn't believe how many people signed it, thank you everyone! If you haven't been able to write a note in the book to Abby's donor family and you'd like to, just let me know and we can arrange it. It's still in St. George now, there were some people that still needed to sign it there, but I will bring it to Salt Lake next week. Hopefully, I'll hear back from the donor family soon so that eventually, I'll be able to pass it on to them.
Things are good, really good. I'm looking forward to the day when we are back in our house with the kids and the dogs all there together, but I'm happy with being able to go home every weekend.....this will work for me. I feel like I'm more able to keep the connection with Britt and Brock and keep in contact with our friends and family there. But, I also know how important it is that Abby is still close to PCMC and her doctors here. It seems like it's a perfect solution for everybody! I pray every clinic visit that Abby continues to accept her heart and heal from the surgery so we can stick with this plan. Thank you everyone for your continued thoughts and prayers, it's so obvious theya re working :)
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Our weekend in St. George.....a grateful list!!!
What a weekend!!! I am feeling so much better about things, I think I really just needed to be in St. George with my kids for few days to feel rejuvinated!! I'm going to recap the weekend by writing another "Grateful List," because that's how I'm feeling right now........just grateful.
I'm grateful........
That "home" is only 4 1/2 hours away from Primary Children's Hospital so that we were able to come here for the weekend!!
For the compassion, empathy, and understanding that people have for Abby and the rest of my family right now. I could feel it so easily when I talked to some of you this weekend. Thanks for caring about us, thanks for being excited to see us, thanks for crying when you talked to us, thanks for helping my kids when they need it, thanks for trying to understand what we've been going through, thanks for being a part of our last 3 months.
Swig-They have the best Diet Dr. Pepper.....ever!! I love that place, and visited it daily while I was in St. George :)
The teachers and staff at mine and Abby's school. Abby's teachers are going out of their way to get her homework to her, I know it's a pain-I'm a teacher too-but they've been awesome. Thanks Ali for helping with that too! We felt so welcome and loved when we stopped by this week to see everyone and get Abby's work. I'm grateful they'll work with me and I know that when It's time for me to teach again, they'll be ready to help me in any way and they'll be ready for me. I also know that when it's time for Abby to go back, they'll have a plan set in place to make it easier for her. We love the teachers, staff, and kids at Sunrise Ridge and can't wait to get back there!!
The community of St. George. I just can't believe the support we have here! The fundraisers just keep coming, it's incredible. I know we still have the Fargos car wash next weekend, the Kalamity dance concert next week, a Zumba event at Zumba Warehouse-date will be announced soon, and little league games donated and in honor of Abby!!! Plus all of the great things that have already been done, it's just unreal. Thank you everyone! I have to admit, it's a little surreal to drive down the Boulevard and see Abby's name on signs! Then at the Desert Hills game Friday night, Abby got to be the honorary team captain and walk on the field with the other captains and coaches...How cool is that? It was awesome to hear the crowd cheer when they announced her name, thank you! Funniest thing this weekend was when we were sitting down eating breakfast Saturday morning and Abby said, "Hey, look, that's a picture of me on the front page of the Spectrum!" We all just had to laugh! We were treated like VIP's at the game, thank you Desert Hills High School!!
The TV show Hoarders. I've become obsessed with it, maybe it makes me realize there are people out there crazier than me.
Brittany. I know I don't have to worry about her getting into trouble when I'm in Salt Lake, I can always trust her to do the right thing. With her knee being blown out this year and having to give up sports, plus all of this stuff with Abby, she's had a hard year and I'm grateful she's been able to keep it together and remember who she is. She's also been so helpful getting Brock where he needs to be and helping to take care of him. Britt-you are the best big sister ever.....don't ever forget it.
Being able to do "normal" things this week. Going to the football game was the first really "normal" thing we've done since May 18th. Brittany and Abby were there running around with their friends, I was sitting in the stands with my friends and family, and Brock was out on the field being a beast!! I loved every second of it! Brock played awesome too......nothing better than my sophomore son getting some major varsity playing time! Way to go Brock, you deserved every second of that time....you worked hard all summer!! I also got to drive my kids around, do their laundry, buy things they need for school, stay awake until they got home by their curfew, and just do "normal" for a few days.....It felt good.
Krista and that she's taking such good care of our dogs. We got to go visit them on Saturday and thank goodness they remember us, I have to admit, I was a little worried they would have forgotten who we are, but they didn't, they were so excited to see all of us; But it was obvious that they feel very comfortable with the White's too, and that they are being treated just like their other dogs. Thanks for being so good to them Krista, it was really hard for all of us to leave them again but it made it easier knowing that they are being loved. Just remember, we are taking them back when we get to move back here :)
I'm still working really hard on trying to be grateful for this tremendous trial we've been going through, but I don't think I'm there quite yet. I'm grateful for so many things that have happened because of the last 3 months, but I haven't gotten to the point that I'd say I wouldn't give it up if I had the choice. I've heard so many heart people say that they wouldn't ever take back being able to go through the struggles of being a mom of a heart kid or of being a heart kid themselves........but I can't say that yet, I would love to go back to 4 months ago and to what we were doing and who we were then. I'm hoping that a little bit farther down the road, I'll be able to look back and honestly say that I wouldn't change a thing!!
I'm so grateful for Abby's transplant team of doctors and nurses and that I know that after reading this post, they'll realize how much we need to come to St. George and that they'll give us the okay to come here every weekend until we can move back :) Abby and I have some serious convincing to do at the cardiology clinic tomorrow morning!! I just keep praying that Abby will continue to feel good so that we can get home as soon as possible!!
This is long, I know, but I have a lot to be grateful for so it's okay. I've had lots of people tell me that they haven't been able to comment on the blog....but I think finally fixed it so that everyone can comment now, so please leave a comment!!! We love to see who's keeping up with us. Thank you everyone, our weekend in St. George was sweet. I only got to do about half of what I had planned and see only about half of the people I wanted to see, but hopefully we'll be here next weekend too!!!
I'm grateful........
That "home" is only 4 1/2 hours away from Primary Children's Hospital so that we were able to come here for the weekend!!
For the compassion, empathy, and understanding that people have for Abby and the rest of my family right now. I could feel it so easily when I talked to some of you this weekend. Thanks for caring about us, thanks for being excited to see us, thanks for crying when you talked to us, thanks for helping my kids when they need it, thanks for trying to understand what we've been going through, thanks for being a part of our last 3 months.
Swig-They have the best Diet Dr. Pepper.....ever!! I love that place, and visited it daily while I was in St. George :)
The teachers and staff at mine and Abby's school. Abby's teachers are going out of their way to get her homework to her, I know it's a pain-I'm a teacher too-but they've been awesome. Thanks Ali for helping with that too! We felt so welcome and loved when we stopped by this week to see everyone and get Abby's work. I'm grateful they'll work with me and I know that when It's time for me to teach again, they'll be ready to help me in any way and they'll be ready for me. I also know that when it's time for Abby to go back, they'll have a plan set in place to make it easier for her. We love the teachers, staff, and kids at Sunrise Ridge and can't wait to get back there!!
The community of St. George. I just can't believe the support we have here! The fundraisers just keep coming, it's incredible. I know we still have the Fargos car wash next weekend, the Kalamity dance concert next week, a Zumba event at Zumba Warehouse-date will be announced soon, and little league games donated and in honor of Abby!!! Plus all of the great things that have already been done, it's just unreal. Thank you everyone! I have to admit, it's a little surreal to drive down the Boulevard and see Abby's name on signs! Then at the Desert Hills game Friday night, Abby got to be the honorary team captain and walk on the field with the other captains and coaches...How cool is that? It was awesome to hear the crowd cheer when they announced her name, thank you! Funniest thing this weekend was when we were sitting down eating breakfast Saturday morning and Abby said, "Hey, look, that's a picture of me on the front page of the Spectrum!" We all just had to laugh! We were treated like VIP's at the game, thank you Desert Hills High School!!
The TV show Hoarders. I've become obsessed with it, maybe it makes me realize there are people out there crazier than me.
Brittany. I know I don't have to worry about her getting into trouble when I'm in Salt Lake, I can always trust her to do the right thing. With her knee being blown out this year and having to give up sports, plus all of this stuff with Abby, she's had a hard year and I'm grateful she's been able to keep it together and remember who she is. She's also been so helpful getting Brock where he needs to be and helping to take care of him. Britt-you are the best big sister ever.....don't ever forget it.
Being able to do "normal" things this week. Going to the football game was the first really "normal" thing we've done since May 18th. Brittany and Abby were there running around with their friends, I was sitting in the stands with my friends and family, and Brock was out on the field being a beast!! I loved every second of it! Brock played awesome too......nothing better than my sophomore son getting some major varsity playing time! Way to go Brock, you deserved every second of that time....you worked hard all summer!! I also got to drive my kids around, do their laundry, buy things they need for school, stay awake until they got home by their curfew, and just do "normal" for a few days.....It felt good.
Krista and that she's taking such good care of our dogs. We got to go visit them on Saturday and thank goodness they remember us, I have to admit, I was a little worried they would have forgotten who we are, but they didn't, they were so excited to see all of us; But it was obvious that they feel very comfortable with the White's too, and that they are being treated just like their other dogs. Thanks for being so good to them Krista, it was really hard for all of us to leave them again but it made it easier knowing that they are being loved. Just remember, we are taking them back when we get to move back here :)
I'm still working really hard on trying to be grateful for this tremendous trial we've been going through, but I don't think I'm there quite yet. I'm grateful for so many things that have happened because of the last 3 months, but I haven't gotten to the point that I'd say I wouldn't give it up if I had the choice. I've heard so many heart people say that they wouldn't ever take back being able to go through the struggles of being a mom of a heart kid or of being a heart kid themselves........but I can't say that yet, I would love to go back to 4 months ago and to what we were doing and who we were then. I'm hoping that a little bit farther down the road, I'll be able to look back and honestly say that I wouldn't change a thing!!
I'm so grateful for Abby's transplant team of doctors and nurses and that I know that after reading this post, they'll realize how much we need to come to St. George and that they'll give us the okay to come here every weekend until we can move back :) Abby and I have some serious convincing to do at the cardiology clinic tomorrow morning!! I just keep praying that Abby will continue to feel good so that we can get home as soon as possible!!
This is long, I know, but I have a lot to be grateful for so it's okay. I've had lots of people tell me that they haven't been able to comment on the blog....but I think finally fixed it so that everyone can comment now, so please leave a comment!!! We love to see who's keeping up with us. Thank you everyone, our weekend in St. George was sweet. I only got to do about half of what I had planned and see only about half of the people I wanted to see, but hopefully we'll be here next weekend too!!!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Words from Abby :)
Hey people. It's Abby! :) I'm coming home! Well, from Friday to Sunday.. ha. On Friday I'm hoping the doctors are going to let me go to the Desert Hills Varsity football game! This will be fun. Brock might get to play and some of my friends from school are going to be there! :) As for school.. ya. My mom is not letting me slack off. I have to read at least a half hour a day, do some Bridge summer book thing, and do all the assignments that my teachers send me... So don't think I'm just not doing any work :) We are going to go to the school on Friday to pick up some work.. after all the kids are gone though because my imnune system isn't strong enough. Which leads me to the doctors- 'Rules for St. George.'
1. No hugs.
2. LOTS of hand sanitizer.
3. Stay in a bubble.
4. Can't run.
5. Try to stay out of the sun.
These are the rules the doctors have given me for if I go to St. George.. Ya I know. Can't do that much haha. But I REALLY want to see my friends from school and just be HOME! If I can just wait one more day... :) and then.. on Monday.. If my cath looks good then the doctors said NO MORE OXYGEN and I GET TO START RUNNING!!! So this cath is like way way way way exciting to see the results for.. But the first time running they want me hooked up to the treadmil so that they can make sure everything looks good. But yesterday.. on our walk.. I kinda ran like by two cars :) like ten steps.. haha it felt great :) Well I got to go take my meds.. We are down to about 35 pills a day! And still tapering down :) Hopefully on my next Prednizone taper my puffy cheeks will start going away.. Brittany was not very nice about them.. haha bye. See you in St. George!! :D
1. No hugs.
2. LOTS of hand sanitizer.
3. Stay in a bubble.
4. Can't run.
5. Try to stay out of the sun.
These are the rules the doctors have given me for if I go to St. George.. Ya I know. Can't do that much haha. But I REALLY want to see my friends from school and just be HOME! If I can just wait one more day... :) and then.. on Monday.. If my cath looks good then the doctors said NO MORE OXYGEN and I GET TO START RUNNING!!! So this cath is like way way way way exciting to see the results for.. But the first time running they want me hooked up to the treadmil so that they can make sure everything looks good. But yesterday.. on our walk.. I kinda ran like by two cars :) like ten steps.. haha it felt great :) Well I got to go take my meds.. We are down to about 35 pills a day! And still tapering down :) Hopefully on my next Prednizone taper my puffy cheeks will start going away.. Brittany was not very nice about them.. haha bye. See you in St. George!! :D
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Links to the Deseret News article and the story on Channel 5
Heres' a link to the Deseret News article that was in the paper today:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705389253/Unlikely-group-of-teens-lose-their-hearts-become-friends.html
And a link to the story on Channel 5 last night:
http://www.ksl.com/?sid=16826283
I thought they were both excellent stories and they did a great job! The kids were so cute, what an experience for us, in many ways we are extremely blessed.
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