March 10, 2020
Dear Ones,
Your thoughts and prayers are deeply appreciated as my little Eva has Tonsillectomy Surgery tomorrow (Wed) and Susannah has Brain Surgery to remove her Astrocytoma on Monday (bar any lung/heart issues caused by her last Chemo—testing this week).
Blessings today included darling preschoolers flowers, personal notes and drawings, chocolate (to scare away Dementors), and treats purchased with their own money!
Meetings at Primary Children’s went well.
Karen helped with children after school,
Maren picked up my carpool, and Kristen brought over a warm dinner tonight when we got home.
ThAnK yOu! ❤️😢🙂
Eva asked after her Father’s Blessing tonight—“why does it all have to happen at once?!”
Guess that’s life sometimes.!
Life is good. 👍🏼
March 15, 2020
Dear Ones,
Joe gave a beautiful Father’s Blessing to Susannah.
Thank you for your prayers of faith that all will go well during her Astrocytoma (cancerous brain tumor) removal surgery tomorrow morning. 💕
March 17, 2020
Dear Ones,
It has been a rough couple of days for our family with my father’s funeral, Eva’s tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, and Susie’s Astrocytoma surgery.
Some of you asked for updates and so I will try and edit this for teen privacy and still vaguely respond.
Susannah’s brain tumor removal surgery early Monday morning was “challenging.” A lot longer, harder, and bigger than anticipated by the Chief Neurosurgeon. 6+ hours in OR. Longer in post-op, than recovery, than ICU—which can handle screaming.
Funniest thing yesterday afternoon…ICU Nurse Maddie had a relaxing waterfall playing with similar music on the screen when Susie was coming to from anesthesia-which has always been tough for her, and her momma.
“I hate this music.””I HATE this music!” Nurse is busy checking things: vitals, blood, swelling, 3 IV’s etc.
“I-HATE-THIS-MUSIC!!!” Susie screams.
We find the TV pad and turn to “Audio Radio Music” Station. Maroon 5 is playing. Susie falls fast asleep. He he.
Things learned.
“You should have seen the other guy!” Susie’s eye is swollen shut. She thinks she makes a good Quasimodo.
I did not think what my child would look like post-op after brain surgery—but I firmly believe PTSD goes for parents, as well as, children who suffer from cancer trauma. 😔
Here are some of the blessings:
*Everyone is quarantined at home now so my kids have a chance to heal.
*Eating again after TWO days tastes like heaven.”Food makes me happy!” (Yay for Primary Children’s Gluten Free Menu with Hamburgers, Chicken Nuggets, pizza, fresh fruit plate, steamed veggies, and chocolate pudding.)
*Toilet paper or no, using the facilities without a catheter is much better.
*Finding the right pain med (that you don’t throw up) and one that helps you sleep—Ahh. Toradol.
*Brain surgery is not for wimps. Susie has more than 30 stitches in her scalp.
*Sheltering in place at a hospital in a kids room leaves a parent with bad Cabin Fever and only 1,400 steps by 2 p.m. PCH hall walking.
*St. Patrick’s Day green slime with gold glitter, painting shamrocks, and NO PINCHing if you forgot to wear green—Social Distancing bonus.
*Sus shared this Corona Virus Cruise Meme and got only TWO calls to her room phone today—BOTH started out “Congratulations! You have won a free Princess Cruise!…” Angel humor. No joke! 🤪
*If one has had very little sleep for several days, and an eye mask, you too could sleep thru machines alarming, empty IVs, nurse checks, children crying, etc. You only thought you were a lite sleeper but you obviously have had more than 25 hours sleep in a week. 😂
*When your child’s surgery goes several hours longer than anticipated, your surgeon may begin drawing you pictures.
*Healing is step by step, day by day, in faith. God has a plan for us all. ❤️
March 18, 2020
What a day!
Sus and I were awakened by the rumbling of an earthquake this morning.
We could hear some busy sounds and nurses giggling as they cuddled under desks together.
Having been asleep, we fell back asleep until Doctor Rounds came in to check Susie’s swelling and discuss the full MRI (not the “mini” 5-10 min MRI that we were told several times would happen).
Primary Children’s is a safe place to be, nurses reassured us.
Susie felt peaceful. She also felt another earthquake during her MRI, after and later in the early afternoon we both felt another one.
I joked today that Susie was my darling Chinese Daughter. I would call her Moon-Pie. Swelling continues from her brain to roll down the opposite eye and into her cheeks and jowls. She was heart shaped this morning and middle aged this evening.
🤪
We feel buoyed up by your prayers and faith.
Darling ward sisters have brought meals to our home to Joe and allowed my children to play while I’ve been gone. Blessings and more blessings.
I stepped outside for the first time in four days and it is wonderful at lifting ones’ spirits.
During this time of Social Distancing, let’s look up and smile at one another. Life is good because of the beautiful people in it.
Tonight on my Pokémon “walk the floors of Primary’s” evening escape—Susie craved gummy worms and I wanted a SoBe water. I put in money in a vending machine and pushed the button when a Diet Coke came out, then another, then another! Then two apple juices! 5 drinks in total. No SoBe water. Hmm. I have somehow won the vending lottery?!
Perhaps angels know I need sugar and caffeine to get through this?
Comforting words of scripture tonight of Jacob’s Allegory of the Olive trees and Sheri Dew’s thoughts on this time.
Had a small “miss you so much Dad cry this afternoon” and then picked myself up. Carry on!
Miss these darling kiddos and spouse of mine.
Maybe tomorrow we can be together again for Scriptures and Family Prayer? I hope so. 💕
March 19, 2020
If going to heaven is half as sweet as coming home from the hospital today with Susie, it will be joyful indeed! ❤️
Big strong hug from Jonathan.
Right leg squeeze hug from Liam.
Quiet but tight squeeze from Eva bug who had a special present for Susie-a lavender filled soft Sloth that can be heated or refridgerated to provide cozy comfort and gummy worms.
Favorite Nurse Aid Sasha accompanied us to our car. Susie is still my swollen little Moon-pie. We are assured that in a week and a half, swelling We he gone.
