We should be used to set backs and disappointment. It has happened too many times to count.

We should be used to being in that .001% of things that it never happens to. Murphy’s Law.

We should be used to that look on the Dr.’s face that says, “I have bad news.”

We should be used to miscommunication and nurse/aide mishaps.

We should be used to being forced to change our norm. Hell, we don’t even know what normal is anymore.

We should be used to bad hospital food. (We’ve had worse, much worse.)

We should be used to dropping everything and driving way too fast to the hospital because Brent is running a fever.

We should be used to Brent crashing so hard and so fast that you start to wonder if this is the one he won’t bounce back from.


As depressing as all that sounds, and yes, ok, we are a bit depressed right now, there are many more things we definitely ARE used to. You can substitute “thankful for” for “used to.”

We are used to feeling the love and prayers from all of you. It’s a real thing. Honestly.

We are used to good modern medicine that has kept Brent alive over the past 14 years.

We are used to a good medical team. (Sometimes we get bad dr.s and nurses, but this time they are top notch.)

We are used to those around us stopping whatever they are doing to see to our needs.

We are used to answered prayers that come in the form of a text, phone call, random acts of service, etc.

We are used to hundreds of Priesthood blessings at the hands of our dear sons and friends.

We are used to Brent bouncing back against all odds. Seriously though.

We are used to coming home feeling relieved and oh so blessed.

We are used to feeling humbled that when he crashes hard and fast, he normally comes back just as fast.

We are used to just holding each other thankful for another chance at life.


With all that stuff said (sorry, sometimes I get a bit overwhelmed with both sadness and gratitude.)🤷‍♀️We were told earlier this afternoon that he was going home. Arrangements were being made for the at home antibiotics. Orders were supposedly being written up for discharge. Enter the Infectious Disease doc. ☹️  The blood cultures from the peripheral tests showed up positive today. That means the bacteria is in his bloodstream and not just in the central line. Because this particular bug likes to cling to foreign objects in the body, like the line itself, there is also danger of it attacking the artificial heart valve. With that being the case, we have to repeat the cultures and wait 48 hours to see if they are negative. If not, we have to go with the other plan and have the central line removed and a PICC put in. (I’m not sure why I say “we” when Brent is the one being poked and laying in the hospital bed.) As much as this all sucks, we are thankful that the doc is being mindful of the danger/risk and is being cautious. Our favorite saying...it is what it is. Nothing we can do about it.

So, if you’re still with us, and still praying, could you pray that the cultures are negative? That would be awesome. Throw in a good word for our morale too. This gets kinda old kinda fast.

💞