Not much of a Shocker

Well, she's back in the hospital...again. Her feeding tube got clogged and not because of the picture above. Here we asked her if she wanted any food and this was her reaction. Anyway, Sunday morning they need to reinsert another tube, which means sedation and hospitalization all over again for who knows how long. Cambrie's mom went home today and it's back to survival of the fittest mode.

Nothing too exciting to report around here. I'd just thought I'd add something in case ya'll are wondering (it saves steve from having to tell everyone individually on the phone which takes alot of his time).

I'm still sick but doing a lot better than before. I only vomit a few times per day, but I'm still REALLY weak. I'm getting fed through a tube in my stomach 24/7 and then I'm attached to an IV pole for 15 hours a day to get hydration. Also, anyone who has seen me and tried to talk to me knows that I've got a hyper-salivation thing going on. The trouble with it is that I can't swallow my saliva (since it makes me puke) and I can't spit it out (since it dehydrates me) so I end up holding it in my mouth which makes talking very difficult. Poor little Kiera thinks mommy is so dull!!!

My mom is here helping until the end of this week and after that time I think I'll need some help, but not nearly as much as before. Everyone has been so wonderful to offer help---- and trust me, if/when I need help I'll call. I do plan on paying someone to care for Kiera on a consistant basis though since she was starting to have a really hard time being passed around so much.

Anyway, that's my life. 2 more days and I'm done with the first trimester!!!

GUESS WHO'S HOME!!!

2 days shy of being hospitalized for a whole month and 7 months to go! Yes, I'm hooked up to all these tubes and that is my trusty blue companion to my left. THANK YOU SO MUCH for all of you that have taken care of my sweet little princess and for those who fed my starving husband. If any of you wanted to come over and visit, mornings are best for me. Kind of like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, I'm somewhat o.k. in the mornings but don't do so hot in the afternoons and through the night. It's kind of interesting trying to chase Kiera around when you're stuck to an IV pole though.

Positive News

Cambrie's had plenty of complications related to the operations that she's just 2 days ago. Overall though, she said if she could feel this good every day, she'd be happy to take it. She only threw up five times today, which is like having to only run five miles out of a whole marathon (sign me up!)

Tentative plan is to discharge her this Monday from the hospital. Next Thursday would be a complete month of hospitalization fun all cooped-up like in the same room, staring at the same wall and puke bowl, and counting down till September...to put it in a guy's perspective--that's not until the next football season!!!

Up again, down again, up again... The picture on the right is a good indication how Cambrie is doing. She's up for visitors any days before 2:00 pm if any of you could come. Actually, I hope many of you can visit her becuase she really would like some company right now.

It's interesting to see different cultures during trying times. After several SDA friends ask how Cambrie's doing and when they hear how hard it is for her, the first and only thing they say is, "What's her name and I'll pray for her." There's only been one exception to that. On the flipside, almost every LDS that has inquired of the same matter has responded with, "What can I do to help?" or "What do you guys need?" Some have even mentioned they'll pray for us, which is great too. I'm not saying one approach is better over the other but I do think it's in the cultural mindset how different groups react to particular trials in life...just an observation.

Forward Progress

To the males reading this blog: no, the title isn't referring to the football term or the fact that the Giants won an awesome game.

To the females reading this blog: Yes, forward progress means what you think it means. Besides, not too many guys read this blog anyway. Cambrie is making headway! Today was the first day she hasn't vomited!!! That might not mean a lot to you but consider the first day she went without heaving her cookies on her first pregnancy was probably around month 7 or 8...she's 9 weeks! Today was one of her greater days. Granted she's still nauseous, but hey, things might be looking up. She's still hospitalized and I'll let you know if she feels up to visits or phone calls.

Sorry for mentioning vomiting so much. All y'alls are probably disgusted and tired of hearing about it, but that's seriously all that happens around here...except for TODAY!

The Last Straw

The hospital has run out of options on treating Cambrie. Drugs don't work, TPN is too dangerous, and she keeps puking constantly. The last thing they know that has worked for some patients like Cambrie is a surgically placing a tube below her ribs, into her stomach, and down her intestines. After the surgery Fri afternoon we were up until 3 a.m. It was a very long night. Cambrie still had to throw up but since she couldn't use her abdominal muscles the bile would get stuck in her esophagus and burn--not good.

She's somewhat better today (relatively speaking). Her mom just came in to town tonight to help out. She still isn't feeling up to having visitors or talking much unfortunately, but I'll keep you posted.

...and to add coal to the fire: Kiera has a fever, midterms are next week, and a hang nail has been bothering me for a while now.