Friday, March 11, 2011

Who Needs Lagoon for Thrills?

We are having a wild week, full of drama. I think I have passed the melt down point and headed nicely to refinement(?) or confinement!
Steve, Carter and I left early Monday morning for LDS Hospital, in a comfortable, reliable...unlicensed vehicle. We purchased a Ford Escape because my baby car - Monte, is dying. I planned to get them both underway on their surgeries and then run register the car. I was very worried because we had the former owner's plate...we discovered that he had the wrong plate on the car. Stuff like that just makes me nervous. I just want to follow the rules.
The hospital put Carter and Steve in side by side rooms to prep, which made it nice for me. I just moved from room to room. The orderly came and got Steve and I was able to visit with Carter for a while. The nurse told us that it would be about 30 minutes before they took Carter. As it began to go on to 3.5 hours....I was a little concerned. Had they cut off Steve's leg? Was he dead? Were they afraid to come and tell me? It was a little stressful. (Knots in my shoulders type of thing.) Finally Dr. Edwards came into Carter's room. He had to take twice as long on Steve to get a good fit and straighten his leg. But the outcome was beautiful.
Dr. Edwards gave Carter a lovely purple "Yes" tattoo on his left knee and told us we would be leaving soon. Finally they came for Carter, outfitting him in the fashionable blue sterile hat. We walked to a 'room' (broom closet) called a pod. Because Carter is a minor, he had to have me there and privacy while talking to the anesthesiologist and nurses. All Carter wanted to do was push the nurse button. They answered our questions and away he went. The nurse told me the surgery would take about an hour. I told her I needed to take care of the car.
I made a mad dash to Farmington, grabbing a very dry peanut butter sandwich for a very late lunch and made it back to the hospital in an hour. I took my seat and began waiting...and waiting....and waiting. An hour and half later...in comes Dr. Edwards. Carter had more damage than they thought. He had torn his minicus also. It was a very long day. We took Carter upstairs to visit Steve and then I was able to bring him home....during the worst snow storm I have ever driven in. I have never been on streets that bad. I t took us over an hour to get home from the hospital. I was grateful for Hayden, who took over Carter's care while I retrieved his prescriptions and ice for the night. Oh, by the way...my trigeminal neuralgia is flaring up and I can't take care of it. (prayers?)
We have Steve home now, but he isn't doing terrific yet. He has a fever and is really in pain..also very out of it. We are hoping he will be turning the corner soon.
I have been blessed with terrific help. Hayden slept with Carter for two nights meeting his needs, Lacey gave up her Spring break to be here helping. Mark drove her here. Morgan and Marinda have been helping with all the little quirky things and feeding us. Stephanie came down from Logan to be nurse and take care of problems that I wouldn't have even realized were happening. Richard took Hayden for a much needed break. Alaina, Colton, Ethan and Liam have given me hugs and smiles. Paula Sallstrom, Arla Sasser, my parents and Steve's parents along with Bonnie have made sure we have food to eat. The bishopric has brought a very welcome visit. Mike Leger (oops Bishop) and Kevin Stevenson were on hand for a priesthood blessing last night. Jamey and Kenny gave Steve a blessing before the surgery. Our neighbor Kurt is standing by to help when he can. Thanks also to my fantastic co workers that are concerned. Carter's friends are taking good care of his social needs. I really appreciate all the phone calls and love that have come from everyone. If I missed anyone... know that I am functioning on about 4 hours of sleep a night. We will keep you informed! I have great pictures, but this isn't letting me post them. I will work on it in all my spare time.

3 comments:

Lilian said...

What a week Becky! I sure hope Steve feels better very soon! Remind me one day to tell you a story about Cory recovering from a simple hernia repair. I had had enough of his recuperation and said something to him that perhaps I shouldn't have. But still.... my heart goes out to YOU too with all this care you need to give them as well as take care of yourself.

Marian & Jeremiah said...

We are coming up there tomorrow to see dad and Carter hope everyone is doing good though :)

Lesley said...

What a week!!! I'm glad that everyone is doing okay (at this point). I've called a few times and Hayden has kept me informed. I will pray for you (and whatever those things are that are up that aren't supposed to be). Love you!

PS I'm glad you got a new car :-)