Utah Sunshine

Our ray of sunshine walked through the door this afternoon.

We immediately cheered up.

Who wouldn't when they saw that smile?

Florida Sunshine

374 days ago we pushed Lauren out of the car at the MTC and drove off, well not really, I got out (against the rules to hug her) and she pushed me back in the car, waved good by and followed the Elder into the building while we drove away. Quicker, easier, and with fewer tears than the day we said good by to her brother. I decided that I liked the new way.

We have had a journey of a lifetime while she has been gone. In a short 9 days she will join us in the last leg (we hope) of this particular journey. And to tell the truth, I am excited to see her!

This morning her e-mail notified us that is is 80 degrees in Jacksonville and they were on their way to the beach! That she most likely would not be returning home as the weather is too cold here. I will be at the airport anyway just on the off chance she has a change of mind.

Nursing...again

If you all will remember, last year I wrote that I always wanted to be a nurse, to help others just like the kind nurses helped my sister. Alas, it was not to be as my poor brain just could not understand chemistry. But I got to perform duties of wound care. Once again I get the opportunity to stretch myself. For the next few weeks I once again have the opportunity to 'act' life a nurse. Too bad I cannot wear one of these...Everyday...

I get to flush and empty three of these little babies....

Carefully measuring and noting the amount, color and contents.

I get to hook up two of these (one at a time)to one of these ...through one of these... making sure that I flush with one of these before, between and after...

and then lock it all with one of these...

Finally I get to administer one of these...

All I can say is that it is a good thing I have illustrated step by step instructions!

Another Love Note

A while back President P and J told me they had lunch with Sister Deseret Book, a special speaker in one of President P's classes, and her son. Elder B had recently returned from a mission. From where inquired J. Jacksonville, FL says he. We know a Sister in that mission, do you know Sister Johnson they asked. And sure enough he did! Later, they told us all the nice things he had to say about Sister Johnson and what a hard worker she is.

Fast forward to yesterday. Ray had a nice CNA, M. As they talked throughout the day Ray told her that Lauren was serving in Jacksonville. M told him her brother recently returned from that mission. Guess who M's brother is? Elder B! And guess what else? M was also at that lunch! Once again, Ray got to hear the nice things that were said about Lauren.

This is especially important to me as I was very worried about leaving Ray alone in the hospital yesterday after the last time I was gone. My prayers were answered and he was lovingly taken care of. Another love note from our Father in Heaven.

Love Note from Heaven

When Brother and Sister R walked into the hospital room, our faces immediately lit up. We had met them last August while we were here. As a young man Brother R was Ray's Grandpa Henry's home teaching companion. We found out that Brother R loved and respected Grandpa Henry. Ray had never had the opportunity to talk with someone who had known his Grandpa so the visit was welcome. Once again, they became reacquainted and once again Brother R told us how much he loved Grandpa Henry and what a good example he was to him. Grandpa Henry served in WW I, Brother R served in WW II. Grandpa Henry was gone long before I met Ray. Brother R is no spring chicken. Through Brother R I was able to know a little of Grandpa Henry. Coincidence that they would visit us? I prefer to think of it as a love note from heaven.

All in 24 Hours

Guess who?

1. IV antibiotics off
2. IV fluids off
3. Feeling good
4. Minimal pain
5. No nausea
6. Excruciating pain
7. Severe nausea
8. IV fluids back
9. IV antibiotics back
10. IV pain button back
11. CT scan
12. 2nd drain added
13. Nothing by mouth

or

1. Reports written
2. E-mails answered
3. Texts sent
4. Phone calls made
5. Criminal apprehended

I wonder what the next 24 hours will bring?

Update...Waiting

Here we sit like birds in the wilderness, birds in the wilderness, birds in the wilderness,

Here we sit like birds in the wilderness waiting for things to work

Patiently biding our time, counting the hours one by one,

Here we sit like birds in the wilderness ready to go home!

Home Away from Home

Once again we find ourselves on the 11th floor of this beautiful, not a hotel, facility.

When one is attended by the "Bard" and "Hans Solo" what more could you ask for? Seriously. we have the very best doctors to be found. And, who has an anesthesiologist who knows you by first name and visits with you pre and post op?

We have had the very best nurses and CNAs you could ask for. They are sweet, attentive and most of all competent. So, during our stay away from home we are being well taken care of.

On the plus side, the patient is resting, albeit not quite comfortably, but resting none the less. And, the nasty C is still gone!

Blessings are abundant, especially when you look for them.

Babysitting...the washer

I truly do love my washer, really I do.

It is just the drains that do not like me, in fact they may hate me.

Do you know that an average washer drains a minimum of six times? Yes that is correct, s-i-x times. Since my drains have it in for me, I get to run down to my lovely washer and make sure that water goes down the drain instead of into the linen cupboard and onto the floor.

Are you aware of just how much lint accumulates in one load of wash? I am! Too much. That is why I am with my lovely washer every time it starts to drain, to make sure that the lint catcher in the sink is clean.

I have even tried double and triple lint catchers but to no avail. If I am not there to ensure that the lint catchers are clean and able to do their job, you guessed it, water is everywhere!

That is the reason I have a new past time...babysitting the washer.