sept. 30

So, more fun today. Fun is good right? I guess it depends on your idea of fun? Going back up to IMC is NOT our idea of fun, but oh well. Phone call this morning from the Dr. himself confirmed that not only does he have the abscesses, yes (es), as in more than one, but they are hoping they are connected and can all be drained as one, but also, the cultures on the Hickman IV line were positive. We get to go get the Hickman removed and a PICC put back in for awhile. Hopefully we can replace the Hickman later. It is so much better than a PICC line. Anyway, off we go.
Lisa

. . .Sept. 29

well, ok, I made it 8 days without blogging.

Our day started with a temperature of 101, and got worse from there. We headed to Salt Lake for a post-op appt. at 10, and just barely got home at 6. We apent the day doing a bunch of blood work, cultures on the IV lines, a CT scan, which showed another abscess, and the insertion of a JP drain. It was not a fun day for Brent, and we are a bit discouraged at this setback. Sometimes we just have a hard time wondering why things just can't be easy at least sometimes.

On a happy note, Michelle got her job today at the hospital in Cedar City. :) yay Michelle! Can't wait for you to come home in 3 days! :)

Lisa

Monday, Sept. 21

So, our thoughts when first creating this blog were in hopes of keeping everyone up to date on Brent's progress post-surgery. As you know, Brent does not have a great post-op reputation, spending weeks/months in the hospital at a time, with every complication occurring that could possibly occur. Because we are so conditioned to this scenario, I guess we were thinking the same would happen again.

Through the grace of God, luck, Karma, extreme faith and prayers of all of you, or whatever you want to credit it to, Brent is doing amazingly well. He had a great weekend, taking walks, visiting with friends and neighbors, and trying a few new foods beyond clear liquids (his yummy soup, yogurt, a few crackers.) His fluid is dissipating slowly but surely, and his energy levels are good. So, basically, we expected the worse, and pretty much got the best. We really don't know how to handle this. :) He really does deserve it though. We accept any break we can get, and know that it is a huge blessing that we are so very thankful for. I keep telling him to just take the blessings and run!

Ok, I will admit that maybe it has been kind of fun being a blogger, but I don't think there is much to blog about every day anymore. This is to let you know that I will post anything monumental, or if anything changes in his condition. If you don't see anything, you know that everything is still going well, and feel free to call or visit, as he gets more bored as the days go by.

Once again, we are extremely thankful for the love, food, prayers, fasting, phone calls, good thoughts, visits, a good surgeon, wonderful family, and the best friends in the world. Couldn't do all this without all of you by our sides.

Lisa & Brent

doing good

Brent is feeling pretty good today. Been awake most of the day. I, on the other hand, keep falling asleep while on duty. :( Not sure what that is all about. Oh well. He is up to visitors, so if you would like to stop by, just let me know. Hoping for a great weekend with some walks up and down the street.
lisa

(home # 801-373-7754)
(cell # 801-372-8467)

sleeeeep

So I think that Brent likes being at home. I also think he likes not being poked with needles all night and all day. I think he appreciates that I don't come into the bedroom and turn the lights on at 2 a.m. He slept last night. I know cuz I heard him snoring several times. :) He has pretty much been asleep most of the morning, which is good. Some things we DO miss from the hospital . . . bars on the side of the bed to help him get up and out, the big flat screen tv with cable, and . . . the mint brownies in the cafeteria. :) ok, that one was just me since he can't eat them, but they were to die for. In other words, I think that being home beats being in the hospital on all levels. Hopefully we will see more healing and more strength returned to his body. He's pretty weak and pretty sore and can't do much, but if you want to visit just let me know. He can sit in the recliner and chat.
lisa

Home Sweet Home

Just got Brent home. He's resting in bed, so probably no visitors tonight. Just call if you want to visit and I'll ask if he's up to it. I'm always nervous when he comes home. There's no call button on the side of the bed to call the nurse. :) And my own cute personal nurse is down in Cedar City studying her guts out. (love you Michelle!!!)

lisa

going home

Just a quick update - we should be going home sometime today. So, watch the blog for details about when and visitors at home, etc..