Day #16 Post Transplant - 25 days in Hospital

Today was a Great Day! Jim finished his RSV treatments - Yea! My mom came to the Hospital this morning to sit with Jim while I helped Sarah get ready for Violin Federation. We picked my mom up at the hospital and headed to the U of U. Sarah did a great job. She was worried about performing today because violin has not really been her focus the last couple of weeks (Hmmm I wonder why). She has still been practicing but just didn't know if the focus was there. I really wanted her to still try though because she has worked so hard. She did a great job and got a superior.

After, we came to the hospital. Sarah and Nate got to see their dad. Nate hadn't seen him since the breathing tube was placed so I didn't know how he would react. He told me "you know, it's not too bad." I think they were both just so happy to see him. I also think that they see beyond the tubes and swelling and just see their Dad. It was great for him. I haven't seen him so alert and smiley for a while. We had recorded Sarah's performance and loaded it on the computer. He watched it twice in a row. He was so proud of her.

Jim seams better today to me. Of course now he is off all of the sedating drugs now that the RSV treatments are done. So now he actually opens his eyes and wants to engage a little. He actually put his glasses on so he could see today. It is so nice to see him alert. He is still weak but I can tell a little stronger than yesterday. Now we are just focusing on getting him stronger and weaning him from the ventilator. It could take a few days. I am anxious because I would like to see him get back up to the bonemarrow floor soon.

Today I AM THANKFUL FOR a beautiful daughter who pushes herself and endures. She is also sweet, faithful, kind, funny, brave, stubborn, smart, friendly and best of all mine.

Day 15 Post Transplant - 24 days in Hospital

I was able to go home last night. Yea! Jim's dear friend Ben came and stayed with him. Jim rested well and was doing well when I came this morning. He is having really high blood pressure again though, so they are having to deal with that. His brother Don and his wife Jane came for a visit today. They live in Kentucky so that was a nice treat. Jim still pretty much sleeps through his visitors. I know that he hears what is going on and occasionally will smile and grin. I think it just takes too much energy to open his eyes and try to communicate for now. He is getting a treatment right now. He is almost done with them. I am not sure if he has 2 or 3 left but we will for sure be done tomorrow. After that, we start to wean him from the ventilator. That could take a couple of days. I am hoping we can be back up on the bonemarrow floor this next week.

Tomorrow, Sarah performs a violin piece at Violin Federation. She has Violin Federation every March. The students get judged and can earn trophy's. She has worked so hard, so I hope she can focus and be able to play. Usually Jim practices with her alot. He worked with her before he went in the hospital. It is a big deal because they work for months perfecting a song. So, hopefully despite goings on in our life she will be able to do well.

Spencer is going to Prom tonight at Roy High School with a cute friend of his. I am so out of the loop, I don't even know what he is wearing. I reminded him about flowers yesterday. Of course he had forgotten, but when I got home last night he had called his friend Blake's mom and she said she would take care of it. I am so lucky that my kids have people that will be their Mommy when their Mommy is taking care of their Daddy. Thank you so much guys! I am so impressed with your love and service.

Today I AM THANKFUL FOR only a few more RSV treatments. Yea!

Day 14 Post transplant - 23 days in Hospital

After reading yesterdays blog, I realize I sounded pretty witchy. I guess just a little protective of my man. Last night went much better. Jim slept through the night pretty good. I had to leave the room for his 10 pm treatment and 6:00 AM treatment. He tolerated them much better with less anxiety.

Jim's brother Bob came to visit Jim yesterday. I feel bad for Bob though because Jim has seen better days. Yesterday was a rough day because of his adventures the night before. He was exhausted yesterday, drugged up and then they tried to drag him down the hall. He did it, but didn't tolerate it too well. That was way too much activity for him.

Today, He is less drugged up, still tired and stood at the bedside and sat in a chair. He is still confused at times. After his 10 pm treatment tonight, he only has 5 more left Yea! Then we look at ventilator removal. Yea Again! Then he will be able to talk to me. Yea! but then again, maybe not yea! After his little outburst the other night I may not want to hear what he has to say. Just Kidding! Bren talked to him on the speaker phone today. Bren told him he heard that Jim had ripped out his tubes. He told Jim that he thought that was pretty "Bad A" and Jim just grinned. Bren said "a little temper tantrum huh dad?" He grinned again and was pretty proud of himself. That's my boy. Still has that fight in him. Just letting us know he still has a voice in all of this. I asked him the other day if he felt like he had any choices anymore. He made a frown and said no. I told him that this is all about his choice. His choice was to fight and all of this other stuff is part of the fight. I said "you didn't think it was going to be this hard though did you? He shook his head. I think when he finishes the treatment and gets the tubes out and sees some progress, he will start to feel better about things. Right now I am sure he just feels stuck. He only sees what he can't do or needs help to do. I just need to keep reminding him that he is fighting for me and the kids. I keep telling him to "keep his eye on the prize." I am sure right now he just looks at me and thinks "you are sooooooo not worth THIS." Ha Ha.

Today I AM THANKFUL that he will probably forget all of this time he has spent in the ICU. (One can hope.)