Wednesday, December 4th, 2024: The vampires draw blood for the last time, Sheri takes James's glasses to fix, Dr. Salibri lied to us, we leave before being discharged, Sheri drives us home, Kim, Brian & Tom happy to see us, "Christmas Quest" and bed

 

Twin Falls, Idaho

128th operating temple

Dedicated: 24 Aug 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Moroni 4

Come Follow Me

Moroni 2-6

Priesthood ordinances must be administered as the Lord commands.

October General Conference

'This Is My Gospel - This Is My Church'

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"The Church is simply ordinary people, disciples of Jesus Christ, gathered and organized into a divinely appointed structure that helps the Lord accomplish His purposes. The Church is the instrument through which we learn the central role of Jesus Christ in Heavenly Father's plan."

The vampires came for the last time this morning to draw the last blood from James. This one was very quick.

Scrambled eggs, which James says are dry and gross, a mini-hashbrown, Cheerios and soy milk for breakfast. James eats the Cheerios with a little milk. Julie ordered him some toast with butter & jam. She is the night nurse who gets off at 7 a.m. She also found a tray of food that had not been sent to a room for me. I had Honey Nut Cheerios and 1% milk for breakfast. Thank you Julie.

Sheri came after breakfast to get James's glasses. A lens keeps falling out. She said she would give it to the master fixer, Nancy. I am packed and ready to go home. We are just waiting for the doctor's release. Sheri helped me carry some of my stuff to the car. I am feeling light-headed and achy. Sheri said she would drive us home and I am very grateful.

Dr. Salibri came at 9:11. He is the internal medicine doctor on duty this morning. He came in and gave us some instructions and said we could go home when the paperwork was finished. I asked him when that would be, and he said in about an hour. As soon as he left I helped James get dressed and put his shoes on. We turned on a Hallmark movie to pass the time. It's an old one but one we both like, "Christmas Land."

I waited until the movie was over and then called the nurse and said we had waited over two hours and we were ready to leave. The nurse explained that the doctor had made the rounds to the 35 other patients on the floor and was now in a meeting. He had failed to fill out the paperwork and she was waiting for him to come back. He should be out of the meeting very soon. I decided we could wait a little longer. We had some lunch and waited around some more. At 1:00 it had been four hours. I wrote the doctor a note explaining to him that we had waited four hours and couldn't wait any longer. We have a four hour trip to get home and I needed to get started. I reminded him that he said the paperwork would be done in about an hour. I gave it to Morgan to give to him. She arranged a wheelchair for James while I went to get the car. No discharge instructions because we aren't being discharged. We left the hospital and drove to pick up Sheri. 

We went the Globe way to avoid the construction on the rim near Heber. We ordered burros from Burger House and Sheri went in and paid for them. James ate part of his on the way home and said it was pretty hot. Sheri and I saved ours for later. 

When we arrived home Kim and Brian were watching a movie and Tom was on Kim's lap. I went over to pet him but when he saw James he jumped down and followed him into the bedroom. He is definitely happy to see him. Later he came and sat on my lap. 

Kim, Brian, Sheri and I watched a movie, "The Christmas Quest" starring Lacey Chabert and Kristoffer Polaha. I wasn't a big fan of the movie but it was nice to spend some time with my daughters and Brian. James popped in and out while he was walking.

After the movie we all said good night and went to bed. Brian, Kim, and Sheri are leaving around 6 in the morning for home.

Up and dressed

Tom 

On my lap

Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024: Bloodwork, breakfast, shift change, low heart rate, x-ray swallow test, lunch, naps, Darrel, Rowan, Ruby, Lola visit & Lola can come in room, James takes a shower,

Panama City, Panama

127th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Aug 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Moroni 3

Come Follow Me

Moroni 1

I can follow Jesus Christ despite opposition

October General Conference

'God's Favorite' 

Elder Karl D. Hirst

"Is it any surprise that the greatest commandments are to love God and to love those around us? When I see people showing Christlike love for one another, it feels to me as if that love contains more than just their love; it is love that also has divinity in it. When we love on another in this way, as completely and fully as we can, heaven gets involved too."

Bloodwork while it's still dark and then breakfast, eggs, turkey sausage, oatmeal, and soy milk. James ate the oatmeal sweetened with brown sugar and jam.

Shift change, goodbye Julie and hello Morgan. We love them both. The internal medicine doctor came in and said they were still concerned about James's heart rate being so low, it's been in the upper 40's and also they were waiting for the neurosurgeon, Dr. Wilson, to approve what meds he should go home with. We finally heard that the doctors are taking James off Plavix, at least until he comes back for another CT scan in about two weeks. Still they aren't discharging him. His heart rate has been as low as 44.

At 11:00 James went downstairs for another x-ray swallow test. I loved the therapist who came up to give us the report. She was very easy to understand and stressed how important some things are. This swallowing issue is a very big concern. She told James: Moving forward you must: 1.) Take one sip at a time 2.) Small sips 3.) Wait a few seconds to swallow. No straws. Swallow liquid separate from food, even when eating cereal and milk. 4.) Practice good oral care, and 5.) Eat slowly.

For lunch they brought a dried up chicken breast, asparagus and peaches. James ate the asparagus and the peaches. After lunch we took naps, still waiting to hear something from the neurosurgical team.

Darrel, Rowan, Ruby, and Lola came by for a visit. Trina and Addy were at work. Lola was excited because this time she got to come into the room and visit with grampa. They brought some more cranberry celebration. Rowan says he is coming up to the cabin on the 13th to help grampa. That's the weekend Michael is organizing a work crew. While they were visiting, James's dinner came, roast beef and green beans, still no bread. Darrel and his kids left and when they did I went downstairs to get myself something to eat.

James took the opportunity to step into the shower while everyone was gone. I got a cheeseburger, chips and a drink for myself, and a banana for James. I ate about half of the cheeseburger and was full. 

Morgan brought in a fresh gown and socks for James. He didn't wash his hair because he didn't think he could. Morgan said he could as long as he didn't "scrub" his incision.

Morgan, the nurse, told me about the construction project going on upstairs. They are building a 5th floor. Kitchell is doing the work.

Kim sent me pictures of Tom. He wasn't quite as clingy as yesterday but still wanted to be near her.

James and I watched "Project Christmas Wish" before going to bed.

A sampling of Kim's wedding cupcakes

One of Tom's favorite spots

The Hoose kids

Addy & Ruby memories

 

Monday, December 2nd, 2024: Vampires from the lab in red scrubs, Brian finds Tom locked in the pump house! Kim stays with Tom, hospital meatloaf is good, Trina brings Ben & Jerry's, physical therapist, Sheri brings roast beef sandwiches, Cathi & Laura text, Brian brings J's glasses, Hmm & bed

 

Curitiba, Brazil

126th operating temple

Dedicated: 1 June 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Moroni 2

Come Follow Me

Dec 2-8: "To Keep Them in the Right Way"

Moroni 1-6 Introduction

October General Conference

'Live Up to Your Privileges'

President Emily Belle Freeman

"We don't just make covenant promises - we must keep them. In many gospel ordinances, we make sacred covenants with God; He promises to bless us as we keep those covenants. Do we realize it is the combination of priesthood ordinances along with the keeping of covenant promises that allows us to draw upon God's power?"

Julia was James's night nurse. We liked her too. She is from Illinois just like Kate from ICU. The first thing every moring someone comes from the lab to draw blood. I can always tell the lab people because they wear red scrubs. After lab is gone someone from the floor comes in to see how he is doing. 

The day nurses today are Morgan and Lou. Lou is a registered nurse but is acting as a tech today. She said she used to live in Springerville so she knows where Vernon is. She still wants James to tell her when he needs to get up to go to the bathroom so she can make sure he doesn't fall.

A little after 7 this morning Brian texted and said, "Tom was locked in the pump house." He wasn't too hungry or skinny so maybe he has been living off of mice.

Kim said he meowed and wandered around the house looking for us. She and Brian were going to leave this morning for home, but Kim decided to stay because of Tom. She said he had been alone, locked up by himself, for five days and she didn't want him to be alone anymore. She said he meowed and wandered through the house some more before he finally settled down to take a nap. 

Later I asked how he was doing. Kim said he won't leave her side. She sat down and he jumped up with her and put his paw on her leg so he would know when she moved. He then fell asleep. Kim said she was going to watch Christmas movies and then sleep in the chair they were in. It seems like he really needed to be with someone so I am grateful that Kim stayed.

They brought James some meatloaf for lunch with green beans and potatoes and the same diced, canned peaches he gets with almost every lunch and dinner. It's like Morgan, the nurse said: "We aren't known for our food." They may not be but they are known to be a great Trauma 1 hospital.

Surprisingly, James ate all of the meatloaf. Trina came just as he was finishing lunch. She brought some non-dairy and regular Ben & Jerry's cherry Garcia ice cream. The non-dairy is for James and the regular for me. James had mentioned the non-dairy ice cream on Saturday when Trina was here.

While James was eating his ice cream I asked Trina if I could run downstairs for a minute. I got a tuna sandwich, some chips. black licorice, and peanut M&M's. When I arrived back at the room the physical therapist was working with James. He had him walk up and down the hall, which James was able to do by himself. He got a little off balance at first and that was the doctor's only concern. He said he was going to recommend that he be discharged. He talked to us about getting a filament night light and using a walker at night if he needs to get up to use the bathroom, and having a chair in the shower. I was glad Trina was here while he was talking.

Trina left and James talked to Greg Hatch on the phone just before he and Florence left for their second mission to Fiji. He said his daughter would take care of the rest of the bills.

Sheri brought homemade roast beef sandwiches on rolls for our dinner. I ate mine. James had some of the dinner the hospital brought so I saved his sandwich for my breakfast.

Cathi and Laura both checked in to see how James was doing. Brian came this evening and brought James's glasses. Brian is going back up on Wednesday to get Kim. He said he would buy horse feed and cat food because we were about out. I Zelled him $100. Chuck was feeding the horses and cats until Kim and Brian arrived.

After Brian left we watched a Hallmark movie and then went to bed. 

Tom is back!

One of his favorite places to sleep

Sunday, December 1st, 2024: Breakfast @ Chandler Regional, move to rm D405, Sheri's dinner, Lovie is lost & so is Tom, HMM interrupted, Charlie prays for Tom

 

Rexburg, Idaho

125th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 Feb 2008

By: Thomas S. Monson

Book of Mormon

Moroni 1

Come Follow Me

"Follow Him"

October General Conference

'The Triumph of Hope'

Elder Neil L. Andersen

"Our hope of eternal life is assued through the grace of Christ and our own choices, allowing us the remarkable blessing of returning to our heavenly home and living forever in peace and happiness with our Heavenly Father, His Beloved Son, our faithful family and precious friends, and the righteous men and women from every continent and every century."

Avery and Alicia, the night nurses, came in to clean James up, around 6:30 am, and remake his bed before the shift change. They have been my favorite so far. Afterwards breakfast came plus he had his cranberry celebration and the other half of his Jersey Mike's sandwich. The breakfast was French toast and turkey sausage. James ate the cranberry celebration and that was it. I ate the French toast and sausage and saved the 1/2 sandwich for lunch.

Chris was his day nurse again today as long as he was in ICU. They are talking about moving him to a regular room, which they ended up doing a little later.

The occupational therapist came in and had James walk and asked him some questions as part of her assessment. The internal medicine doctor came in and said she would order something stronger for James's headaches than Tramadol. He is complaining of a headache most of the time. The doctor says that is pretty normal.

Now they are giving him Forased, which is Tylenol along with some other drugs. The first dose seemed to work quite well.

Next a woman came in with a machine and said she was doing an echocardiogram to check his heart. This took about 30 minutes.

A little while later Stacy, Joshua, and Paul came. Joshua and Paul blessed the sacrament and gave it to both James and me. It meant a lot to both of us. James had tears in his eyes.

James was asking for some of Kim's pumpkin delight dessert, so Sheri brought some over. While Sheri was here they decided to move James out of ICU. We went from room C325 to D405. There is no bench for me to make a bed on, so it's back to sleeping on their uncomfortable recliner. We do have a nice view of Four Peaks. Emily will be his nurse today. She seems very nice and brought me towels, washcloths, shampoo, and soap so I can take a shower in the morning. Yes, this room does have a shower. The other one did not.

Chris pushed James in a wheelchair and Sheri and I moved all of my "stuff" to the new room. Sheri stayed for awhile and then she went home to fix her family dinner. While she was gone, Joe and Michael came for a visit. Michael brought me some Mento gum. Michael and Joe talked about their plans to come and help at the cabin on Dec. 13th.

After the boys left Sheri brought us some dinner. Mine was pulled pork on a pretzel roll. James had his pulled pork on a regular roll.

I had some Famous Dave's BBQ sauce on mine. It was quite delicious. James only ate a couple of bites because he ate quite a bit of the dinner the hospital brought. He had penne pasta with ground turkey and marinara sauce. I was grateful for the food that Sheri brought.

I guess Lovie got out and ran away a couple of hours last night and Charlie was very worried and prayed she would come back, which she did. I told Kacey that Tom was missing, and she said Charlie would pray for him to come home.

James and I started watching a new Hallmark Christmas movie this evening, "The Finnish Line" about dog sled racing in Finland. We were enjoying the movie and only had about ten minutes or so left when the nurses came in and we had to turn it off. When we could finally turn it back on, the movie was over, and we don't know who won the championship race. We were both a little miffed but I told James I was taping it at home and we could watch the ending there.

I turned the TV off and we said our prayers and went to sleep, James on the bed and me on his recliner. I miss my little bench bed in the other room.

Enjoying some Pumpkin Delight

So happy to have her Lovie back

Trenda's family.

I recognize that fireplace.

Saturday, November 30th, 2024: Scriptures prayer in the hospital, Sheri's visit, J's brkfst & cranberry celebration, Rachel - Brett Butler's daughter, J's head tube taken out, Ben & Caylie, Kennan King, Darrel, Trina, Lola, Ruby, Jersey Mike's, nurse Chris, Michael, Stacy & Paul

 

Helsinki, Finland

124th operating temple

Dedicated: 22 Oct 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley (his last)

Book of Mormon

Ether 15:18-34

Come Follow Me

Review

October General Conference

'The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again'

President Russell M. Nelson

"Why are we building temples at such an unprecedented pace? Why? Because the Lord has instructed us to do so. The blessings of the temple help to gather Israel on both sides of the veil. These blessings also help to prepare a people who will help prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord!"

We both listened to our scriptures and President Nelson's conference address. We took turns using my air pods. We finally finished the book of Ether. We also had family prayer.

I can't believe it's the last day of November. The month went by way too fast, in with a wedding and out with a life-saving emergency brain surgery.

Sheri came by early and brought me a diet Dr. Pepper, Polar Pop and some water. She stayed for awhile and then she and Sariah, Cayli's cousin, went to see the movie, "Wicked."

The hospital kitchen staff sent breakfast to James: oatmeal, soy milk, coffee, and scrambled eggs. No toast. I think they have him on a low-carb, heart healthy diet. He would only eat the oatmeal with a little soy milk and jam. He said the eggs were gross. Not much of a breakfast so he had to have some cranberry celebration afterwards. The nurses keep it in their refrigerator for us. Thank goodness for Darrel for bringing it.

James's night nurses' name was Rachel. When she asked where we were from and we told her Vernon, unlike most people who ask, she knew exactly where Vernon is. She said her dad and his parents were from Show Low. I asked who her dad was, and she said, Brett Butler. I couldn't believe it. I have known the Butler family since I was in grade school. Rachel's grandparents, Wade and Jackie, were good friends with my parents in high school. They lived across the street from us when I was in high school, and Jackie was one of my Young Women advisors. Rachel's aunt, Marci Westbrook, is in our ward in Vernon. Rachel said she and her husband lived in Show Low for three years. She worked at the hospital and Denise knew her. Harold, Vickie, and Dennis know her too. Also, her husband was a helicopter pilot for the hospital. It really is a small world!

One of the women from the surgical team came by today and took the tube out of James's head. Barely any blood drained out in 24 hours. Another major milestone.

Ben and Cayli came for a visit and Cayli brought me a puzzle to do. That was so thoughtful of her. While they were visiting, Gail came again. This is his 3rd visit. Today he said he was going home right after the visit. It is 19 hours back to where he lives in Oregon.

After Gail, Ben, and Cayli left, one of Kim's friends, Kennen King dropped by. She brought me a small bag of oranges and candy and said she wanted to make sure I was okay, as well as my husband. She is an older woman, probably my age, that Kim studies conference talks with. She is very sweet and kind and Kim says she loves to serve.  Brian said he thought it was weird, but I thought it was nice of her to come by.

Darrel& Trina, Ruby and Lola came for a visit. Lola had to stay in the waiting room because they do not allow anyone under 12 in the ICU. Darrel and Ruby came in first. Trina had gone back to the car to get something. They had met Sheri when coming in and she gave them the Jersey Mike sandwiches she bought for us. James had half his Jersey Mike's and cranberry celebration for dinner. We had a nice visit with Darrel, Ruby and Trina. Besides more cranberry celebration they brought James a protein chocolate almond shake from the Chop Shop. He loved it! Chris, James's male nurse, suggested a smoothie because it is considered a thick liquid.

Chris is a nice guy, although earlier in the day he got very upset with James because he tried to get out of bed without calling him and the alarm went off. Chris was very upset and really told James off. 

At one point when Darrel & Trina were in the room with James, I went out to the waiting room and visited with Lola and Ruby. Ruby said they were going to go to Scheels over by the Chandler mall and ride the ferris wheel. Lola says she doesn't like Scheels because it is always busy.

Michael came and visited for awhile and told me about the girl he met when he was in Tucson. He left and said he would bring me some Mento gum when he comes to visit tomorrow.

Stacy & Paul came for a visit. They were the last for the day. James started telling them a story about being in a box surrounded in styrofoam and how he broke out of it. Once he was out he said the head nurse said to the other nurses, "well, we were going to let him out in 30 minutes anyway." I realized he was a little confused and was actually telling them about pulling his breathing tube out. He said he couldn't breathe in the box. 

James with his Jersey Mike's sub

and chocolate shake.

Friday, November 29th, 2024: Another swallow text, I go shopping & to lunch w/ Sheri,

Sacramento, California

123rd operating temple

Dedicated: 3 Sept 2006

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Ether 15:1-17

Come Follow Me

Ether 13:13-22; 14-15

Rejecting the Lord's prophets puts me in spiritual danger.

October General Conference

'Focus on Jesus Christ and His Gospel'

Elder I. Raymond Egbo

"Several accounts in the Book of Mormon describe individuals who turned their lives around by focusing on Jesus Christ and His gospel

Consider Alma the Younger. He rebelled and fought against the Church. His father, Alma, prayed and fasted. An angel appeared and called Alma the Younger to repentance. In that moment, Alma began to suffer 'the pains of a damned soul.' In his darkest hours,e remembered his father teaching that Christ would come to atone for the sins of the world. As his mind caught hold on this thought, he pled with God for mercy. Joy was the result, a joy he described as exquisite! Mercy and joy came to Alma because he and his father focused on the Savior."

The main goal for today was to give James another swallow test to see if he could pass it this time and be able to eat and drink something. Sheri, Michael, and I were here when the speech therapist came in to administer the test. He did fine with the swallow test this time and we were encouraged. The therapist said before he ate or drank anything she also wanted to go downstairs and take an x-ray. Stacy came. She and Michael stayed with James while Sheri and I left. We are going to find me another blouse or shirt because I only brought two, and then I am going to Sheri's to take a shower. We are also going to get some lunch.

Stacy and Michael kept us updated via group text about James's progress. They did a cognitive test, which he didn't pass. He got a little confused about who was president. He could only name seven words that begin with F, not including nouns, and they wanted him to know 11. He couldn't draw the time on a clock and he missed some math questions. When he went down to do the x-ray the doctor saw an obstruction in his throat and said he could have no think liquids to drink. He has to have everything thickened and the thickener makes everything taste gross. He is most unhappy about this. He tried to tell the doctor that he has had that obstruction in his throat since he was in junior high but his pleas did no good.

Stacy had to go to work, she delivers for Amazon now, so Michael had Grampa all on his own. It seems they had a good visit. Michael told Grampa some things he hasn't told anyone else. One of them is the reason he doesn't mind going to Tucson for work anymore.

Sheri and I went shopping at Kohl's, but unlike the last time I was there, they had nothing that interested me, so we left. I ordered a top from Amazon and it will be delivered to Sheri's sometime tomorrow.

I did errands with Sheri and then we picked up food. I got a sweet pork taco at Cafe Rio and chicken strips from Chik-fila. We picked up Max from his five hour stay at the gym. He would normally have walked home with a 30 lb. pack on his back, (he walked there),  but he knew we had food for him so he let us pick him up. 

Back at Sheri's we ate lunch. Ian stayed home from work. He gave the reason that his father-in-law was in the hospital and he was going to visit him. Sheri told him he better visit if that's why he stayed home. It was getting late and I wanted to get back to James. I told Sheri I would take a shower later.

Sheri, Ian, and Evan all came for a visit shortly after I returned to the hospital. James was quite talkative and complained about having to drink thick water. Ian said his favorite drink right now is cranberry Ginger Ale. James thought that sounded great and asked if Ian would bring him some. Sheri and I mentioned that it would have to be thickened and James stuck his tongue out at us. This is the mood he is in today.

Ian and Evan left, Sheri stayed a little longer. James kept asking us for a 'real' drink of water or some cranberry Ginger Ale. Sheri said she would buy him a 12-pack when he left the hospital.

Several people came to visit so Sheri asked me to take her home. I think Alex and Joe were in the room when we left. My brother Dennis called to see how James was doing. During the conversation Dennis said, yea, Vickie is making us pray. He then asked if there was anything he could do for us. I told him to just keep praying.

After dropping Sheri off at home, I came back and parked in the hospital parking garage. While I was still in my car I decided to call Vickie. She had called earlier and I had missed her call. She wanted an update on James. We spoke for a few minutes and then said our goodbyes. I noticed Adam walk by while we were talking so I knew he would be in the room when I got there. Stacy and Michael were in the waiting room with Joe and Alex. Darrel and the girls were here too. Darrel brought cranberry celebration.

When I walked in, I had two bottles of water that Sheri had given me and James said, "you brought me water." He was actually angry when I wouldn't give it to him unless I put in the thickening agent. I went out into the waiting room as did Adam after he had visited for awhile to allow someone else to come in. Darrel and one of the girls went in. James is allowed to eat. Darrel gave him some cranberry celebration and after that James was happy the rest of the evening. 

I was so concerned about James sneaking water that I asked Sheri if she would spend the night to help watch Dad. She told me she would, but I needed to check with the nurse. Kate had been his nurse during the day. She knows Trina and her husband is one of the organists at Organ Stop Pizza. I told her we go there every year before Christmas. Anyway, enough about Kate, she had already gone home, and Krista was here for the night shift. I asked her about someone else staying with me and she said only one extra person is allowed overnight. Well, that settles that. He is doing better now anyway. He seems to have had an attitude change for the better. At one point there were so many people here he made the comment: "There are so many people here to see me, it's like I'm a saint or something." Saint James.

I forgot to mention earlier that Jared didn't end up coming. While he was driving to Dallas, he got a call from Kacey that Charlie had a bad reaction to the antibiotic she had been given for her strep and had broken out in hives all over her body. Jared said a prayer and decided the best thing to do was go back and be with Charlie and Kacey. He was torn and now he feels guilty. I told him he should not feel guilty and that he made the right decision. There are plenty of people here to take care of his dad. This evening, we Face Timed and got to talk with him, Charlie and Kacey. James told him he was checking out of this hotel in the morning. They just laughed. Charlie showed us the pictures she, Scarlett and Autumn made for Grampa. Jared said they would send them to us. We can put them up on the wall with Ruby's and Lola's. 

At 8:00 both of us were ready for sleep. No more visitors tonight.

Kim and Brian drove to the cabin today. They are going to put up our Christmas tree and do some decorating and take care of Tom. The problem is they cannot find Tom anywhere. They went outside and called and called. My heart is breaking, and we are all praying he will appear. Sheri says he may not come back until he sees either me or dad. This could be true but he knows and likes both Kim and Brian.

Love!!

 I am so sad for Charlie

Thursday, November 28th, 2024: Happy Thanksgiving, Turkey Trot, Hospital drama, DeWitt's visit, no food for James, James awake and in a good mood,

 

Newport Beach, California

122nd operating temple

Dedicated: 28 Aug 2005

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

Ether 14

Come Follow Me

Ether 12:23-29

Jesus Christ can turn my weakness into strength.

October General Conference

'Sons and Daughters of God'

Elder Reuben V. Alliaud

"It has now been over 200 years since the First Vision opened the doors to the Restoration. At the time, young Joseph Smith sought guidance from heaven to know what church to join. Through the revelation he received that day, and in later revelations given to him, the Prophet Joseph obtained knowledge about the nature of God and our relationship to Him as His children."

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have so much to be thankful for!

Sheri, Ben and Michael all ran in the Turkey Trot. Trina usually runs and so does Addy but Trina had to work and Addy got there too late. Sheri said it was a struggle, especially for Ben who has been sick.

We had a little drama here at the hospital. Somewhere between 7-8 this morning James pulled his breathing tube out with a jerk. I could see it happening but couldn't get there in time to do anything about it.

I was so panicked, I was afraid he may have seriously hurt himself or that there would be long term effects from making such a drastic move. About five nurses came in to help and assess the situation. It was obvious that James was fine and breathing on his own. One of the nurses said, "well, we were going to take it out in about 30 minutes anyway." He may have a sore throat and abdomen because one of the tubes went clear down to his stomach. Also, there was a bulb at the top of the tube to help keep it in place. Ha! Anyway, the crisis and excitement is over and there were no serious complications.

Danielle, James's nurse again today, has the type of personality where she can banter back and forth with him without being offensive. I really like her. 

Most of the family came today for a visit and so did our friends from Vernon, Collin and Wendy DeWitt. Stacy was here but left when Collin and Wendy came in to visit. They brought me a box of chocolates. Collin and James are good friends and work together in Elder's Quorum. Wendy and I are the two teachers in Relief Society. Before they left, Wendy, Collin and I had a group hug and I told them how grateful I was for good friends like them. Collin said if I needed anything done in Vernon to please let him know. They were going to have Thanksgiving dinner at their daughter's and then would be going home.

After the DeWitt's left Dallin came by and also Darrel, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, and Lola. Kim, Brian and Joe were here and brought me a Polar Pop diet Dr. Pepper. Michael came by and so did Jared Ammon. Most everyone was here at the same time and took turns coming back to the room, two at a time. Rowan was the first to come back because he had not yet seen his grampa. Later tonight he texted me and asked if there was anything he could come up and help with next weekend.

James made this comment: "There are so many people here visiting me it feels like I am a Saint or something." He was in rare form today. He felt good and was in a good mood. He made several phone calls, including one to Chuck Crane and one to Armando who was on his way to Wyoming to see his kids. James also called his mom and spoke with her.

Dr. Wilson, the neurosurgeon, came by this afternoon. While he was here I asked him if James could have anything to eat today. He was so happy with the progress that James is making, he said yes. Everyone was so excited that grampa/dad could eat Thanksgiving dinner. When I told Danielle, the nurse, she had a look of concern on her face. She said to me, "don't feed him anything until I come in and give him a swallow test." She came in and did a swallow test by giving James a sip of water. The first thing he did was begin coughing. The test is to determine whether he can drink and eat without food or drink going down the wrong way, into his air passage instead of his esophagus. If he aspirates, it can cause pneumonia. He did not pass the test. This whole experience taught me something, it is really the nurses who have to make the hard decisions in regards to caring for patience.

This afternoon Sheri brought me some specific things I asked for from their Thanksgiving dinner; sweet potato casserole, glazed carrots, a roll, and chocolate pie. Stacy brought mashed potatoes with gravy, turkey, ham, stuffing, corn, and a couple of rolls and some apple pie. I was well taken care of as far as food was concerned. I felt guilty eating in front of James, so I tried to be discreet about it.

Jared is supposed to fly out in the morning and we are looking forward to seeing him. Kacey and Charlie will not be coming with him. 

My cousin Rita texted me a Happy Thanksgiving and we talked about James. She said she would pray for us and put our name on the Gilbert temple prayer roll.

Happy Thanksgiving, Sweetie