Monday (11-14-11) Dad, Anson, Aubrey, and I left at 7 am to University of Utah and Huntsman in SLC, Utah. The weather was awesome. No snow during our trip. There was some snow on the mountains, but none on the roads.
Me and my hot flashes... Poor Dad! I kept freezing him. He had to put his wool socks on his hands and keep his poncho on during our trip.
At U of U, Dad had a pulmonary function test. After that we went to Huntsman for lab. He also visited with the thoracic surgeon. Dad's had a paralyzed diaphragm for 2 1/2 years. The thoracic surgeon will be pulling the diaphragm down and pinning it in place. His breathing should be so much better after this procedure.
That night we stayed at the Red Lion Hotel. A dear friend of ours gave us two rooms. All of our children were there.
Tuesday (11/15/11) Dad's surgery was scheduled for 1:30 pm. Then they called us at the hotel and told us that it had been changed to 2:30. That is an awful long time to go without eating for someone facing surgery. Especially if you're a diabetic! When we got there, we found out they changed the time again to 3:30. My young women's leader from long ago, Carla Woodbury Burningham, was there with her husband. We saw her in Logan when Richie was 2 1/2 and Giselle was 9 months old. Then we visited her in Sandy shortly after that. So it's been over 28 years since I saw her last. It was so good seeing her. I learned a lot from her through her example when I was 16, 17, and 18 years old. What a great friend. After they took Dad to the back, everyone got to visit with him for a little while before surgery. Dick's father and sister were there. So was Makena. Makena brought tons of treats for the family, so did Carla.
Dick finally went into surgery around 5:15 pm.
He took my heart with him as he waved goodbye.
They called 2 hours into the surgery to give us an update. They said that his blood pressure and respirations were good. By then the Oncology surgeon had removed one mass and was taking a break while the Thoracic surgeon worked on his diaphragm. They told us, so far, everything was uneventful.
While we waited, the kids colored, slept, played games, had rides on the wheel chair, and visited. The children were so patient, and so good. It was such a long day for them, but they were little troopers.
His surgery was over at about 9:45 pm. Dick's surgery went well. The oncology surgeon visited with us after the surgery. He told us that he had removed the two big cancerous masses on his mesentary. He said that the 2 tumors had a lot of blood supply. They were so full of blood that they were oozing. The surgeon truly believes that the largest tumor, which was the size of two of two of the doctor's fists, would have ruptured any day, so I'm glad we went with surgery first, and not chemo. The doctor is very concerned about the spread of cancer since the tumors had been oozing. He said that they were like two wet, old sponges that couldn't hold anymore blood. They will talk to us about chemo therapy later. Right now he has to heal from the complicated surgery. They did have to remove two different sections of the small intestine because the tumors were on top of a lot of vessels that were feeding that part of the intestine. They told us that he would be in recovery for about an hour and half. Then they would call me with his room assignment on the 5th floor.
After the surgery, everyone left the hospital. Richie, Chrislynn, and the children went to Logan. Giselle, Brianna, and the rest of the kids stayed in SLC at Nicole's house. (One of Giselle's friend from high school.)
An hour passed and I got a call from the anesthesiologist. He told me that Dick's lung had collapsed and that they had to put a chest tube in his lung. He also told me that he had to go to ICU. The ICU at Huntsman was full, so they had transferred him to University of Utah ICU. He said that Dad would be there for 3 days. Immediately I felt terrible. I know U of U is a very good hospital. BUT right away I thought, I won't be able to stay with him if he's in ICU. I was expecting to stay in the room at Huntsman with my husband. I had promised him that! Like 5 minutes later, the anesthesiologist called back and said to meet him on the first floor and that he would take me to the ICU at U of U. It was a good 10 minute walk. I think he knew I felt totally lost by the tone of my voice.
Before he left, I asked him if Dick was okay. He reassured me that he was. He said that because of all of his health problems, and now the chest tube, they wanted to keep a close eye on him. I felt totally lost in such a huge hospital, without my children, and especially without my companion. A nice man saw me crying and he came to comfort me. He said, "Don't worry about visiting hours, you will be able to be in there all the time, once he is stable."
Wednesday (11/16/11) I waited for about 3 hours in their cold, uncomfortable waiting room. Finally, I went and asked if I could see my husband who was recovering from surgery. They said I could go back.
There he is, my love. He was in so much pain that it broke my heart.
As soon as I went in the room, he opened his eyes and gave me a flying kiss. I touched his arm and he said, "There you are. I had been missing your touch." I never feel like fainting in a hospital room, but I really started feeling faint. I started hearing a far away beeping sound, seeing dark spots, and got really clammy. I told Dick that I was going to get some comfortable shoes and put on some jeans and a t-shirt. I went to my suitcase that sat in the waiting room. After I got dressed, I went back to see Dick and again I started feeling like I was going to pass out. What was wrong with me?! I had to sit and put my head in between my legs. When he'd wake up, he kept asking me to touch his head and arm because he missed my touch. Finally I went to the waiting room and sat there for about 2 hours while I put my feet up. I figured the passing out episodes were because I was so exhausted. It had been a long day.
At 8 am they had visiting hours again. When I went back, there was a recliner in his room. In the middle of his severe pain and grogginess, he had asked the nurse for a recliner for me.
About 10 am Physical Therapy got him up for the first time.
Around 2 pm, Dick got transferred by ambulance to Hunstman in a special care unit. I was so happy because Huntsman is a hospital for patients with cancer, not trauma. I was especially happy because I can sleep in the room. They have showers for the patient's family and a washer and dryer. I felt at home! The rooms are new and huge. I love Huntsman!
If you notice the light blue material that he has on the left side of his face is my night gown. He wanted it there so that he could smell me.
Thursday (11/17/11) This
was Dick's view from his hospital window. He is feeling much better
today. Yesterday during rounds, one of the residents that assisted the
oncology surgeon with the surgery, basically told Dick that things
didn't look good concerning the cancer. He told
him about all the cancer cells left behind and that they were not able
to leave clean margins because of the messy masses. I really hadn't had a
talk with Dick about any of that because I had been waiting for him to
get stronger and more awake. Needless to say, he was very sad and
discouraged yesterday. Almost depressed. :( The
social worker visited with him and explained to him that it is
perfectly normal to feel that way. It is part of the coping process. He
is feeling better today.
I sent this picture to Cindy Manning, the high school secretary. Dick wanted her to put it up in the faculty lounge with the following, "I am doing fine. I don't know what is worse. This or your meetings."
God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain. BUT he did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the day.
I love you Dick.
We had some wonderful friends come visit. RaeAnne Carson and her family, Carla Woodbury Burningham, Leanna Parks, Linda and Cherise Wayment, and our dear friend, Kellan Hatch. Kellan was a missionary with Dick in South Texas 33 years ago.
Monday (11/21/11) They took Dick's chest tube out today. They will x-ray his lungs tomorrow morning. If everthing is okay, he might go home tomorrow. Sounds like we'll be home for Thansgiving after all. He will get scanned for new spots in January, and start chemo after the 1st of the year. That way he can have a good Christmas and heal completely from his surgery.
This is what Dr. Jones told us when he made rounds tonight.
"The tumors were oozing, and there were a lot of cancer cells that spilled. That's bad and we don't like that. Does that mean that the cancer will come back with a vengeance everywhere? It might, but there are also miracles. Let's take one day at a time."
Dick going for a walk without tubes attached to him.
Today is Richie's birthday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHIE! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!
Tuesday (11/22/11) We got home today and shortly after we arrived, the Ketterling family delivered a Thanksgiving meal.
Deacon found the chocolate cream pie.
