Well, it has been nine years. Nine years since our normal peaceful every day lives were turned upside down, inside out, and every which way. Nine years ago (yesterday, January 11, 2006) I was calling an ambulance, thankful that my four children were not at home, but at their various church activities. Nine years ago I was sitting in the ER, luckily oblivious to the real danger Brent was in. Nine years ago I sat in the surgery waiting room, with our good friend Dan, all night long, waiting and wondering what his fate was. Luckily Dan brought his son, Tyler, and they were able to give me a sense of calm by giving me a priesthood blessing. Unfortunately, the news was not good. The surgeon mentioned something like, "with any luck, he will make it." I remember thinking "excuse me? what are you talking about? With any luck? What?" and then reality hit. Brent might not make it. He's telling me that my husband may not survive. Who is this person? Get out of my face. Where is my husband?

This isn't all about me, but I can only share my thoughts and my emotions during this time. Brent has his own thoughts and emotions, and some of them are very sacred. Some of them will never be shared with others. Luckily, a lot of the time he was not coherent enough to realize what was going on.

We've had a lot of time to reflect on the past nine years, and some of it we choose to forget. Actually, a lot of it we choose to forget. Many choices have been made in the last nine years, but the biggest choice, I believe, was made the night of January 11, early morning hours of January 12. Brent chose to live. Brent chose to fight. Brent made a choice to come back, and for that, I will be eternally grateful.

We are doing well now. Brent will never be 100%, but he is alive. He is able to work, with a great team of people at BYU. He is able to enjoy various activities, depending on the moment. He still depends on IV nutrition each night, and fights various battles each day of his life. We still walk on eggshells, never knowing what lies ahead from one minute to the next. We do not make plans, as they usually get cancelled. We tend to live in the moment. If he feels good, we do things. If he doesn't, we don't. Simple as that. Our lives will never be as they were nine years ago, but in many ways, that is OK. We are different. We have changed. We have grown. We have survived so many situations that we would not wish on our worst enemy. but, we have survived. We know that we can do hard things. We know that we are better because of what we have endured. Who knows what the future brings? We don't even try to guess. We take each day as it comes, and accept it as a gift.

This is a post from Brent's Facebook page. He says it well.:

It was nine years ago today that what should have been an easy recovery from a routine surgery instead resulted in a ruptured intestine and some serious doubt that I would make it through that night and many others to come. That started a nine year medical odyssey of over a dozen surgeries, thousands of tests, a total of about a year sitting in a hospital bed, too many trips to the ER and ICU, and millions in medical bills.
Along with that there was my kids who pulled together to take care of each other so their mom could be with me, a ward that stepped in and provided when we could not, great friends that were there anytime anything was needed, and a group of skilled professionals that have worked miracles in keeping me around.
But it also resulted in a testimony that God does answer the prayers of the faithful, He is involved in the details of our lives to make sure the right people are in the right place at the right time to perform His work, miracles are not just for the parting of the Red Sea, and families are truly forever.

To all those whose faith and prayers have made this possible I and my family say thank you and God bless you.
Brent

We had a friend at church, an elderly brother whom we love dearly, make a comment about it being nine years. He said, "So I have been praying for you for nine years?" Wow, that was humbling. So many people have prayed in our behalf. Thank you is never enough, but Thank you.

Lisa