On A Roll

After the very difficult day Brendan had yesterday, we were surprised and delighted to see Brendan gain energy and strength today and enjoy time with family.  

Brendan slept pretty well.  He was a little restless at 2 a.m. so I traded Sarah places and rubbed his 

feet.  The nurse gave him something to help him relax and he slept better after that.  Overnight, I awoke several time to hear Brendan thanking his nurse for all the help she was giving him.

 The pain pump did its job and Brendan is feeling much better.  As morning came, he reached out and grabbed my hand. 

 Sarah insisted on spending the night on the chair.  I wasn't sure she slept much, but she said the chair was great.

 As morning dawned, Brendan was awake and ready to eat.  His mouth was really dry and pasty and he wanted to get that taste out of his mouth.  This is not the Brendan we expected to see this morning, and we were glad to see he was hungry and happy.

 Waffles with strawberry jam with whipped cream hit the spot.

 As the day went on, the pain in Brendan's abdomen lessened slightly, but it is still shiny and tight and distended.  They are still concerned about what is going on in there that they can't see.  The surgeon cleared him to eat this morning saying "Brendan will let us know if there is problem."  Well, Brendan ate and ate and ate, and has had normal elimination, so we are hoping there is no problem that will keep him from coming home tomorrow.

 The kids all came for Sacrament Meeting today at the hospital and spent the rest of the day with Brendan.

One of the nicest things ever happened today.  Brendan's tech heard that Brendan had passed the sacrament at church last week for the first time.  So she worked out a plan with Brendan's permission.  When the sacrament was brought to our room, the nurses and techs that wanted the sacrament came to our room.  The sacrament was blessed by the Elders who handed the sacrament trays to Brendan.  Then Brendan was able to "pass" the sacrament to the nurses and techs from his bed.  It was a kind and thoughtful gesture of love that allowed Brendan to fulfill one of his priesthood duties when he thought it would be impossible to do so.

 We are so grateful for dinners and food at the Ronald McDonald Family Room.  We hope to return the kindness someday soon by preparing meals to serve to the families here.

 They have new reclining chairs in the Family Room -- all overlooking a great view of Salt Lake City.  It was a great place to rest and catch a nap this afternoon.

 Brendan laughed and joked with everyone today.  He really felt much better.

 Brendan was really catching up today after being NPO (no food or water) yesterday -- in case he needed surgery. Powdered donuts!

 I think we are going for a "how many people can you fit in a room" record here.  They have been so kind to let us "bend" the rules for visitors and other things while we just want to all be with Brendan as much as we can.

 And then it was pizza. . .

 Hmmm. . . what else looks good?

. . .and Fruit Loops. . .

 Aaron and Lorraine Thatcher came to visit.  They know this hospital well (three of their kids spend a lot of time here), and Aaron understand a little (ok, a lot) of what Brendan is going through.

 More time with baby Allison made Brendan very happy.

 Fellow cancer patient, Henry, and his parents,  Seth and Jeni Iverson dropped in this afternoon.  They were coming to Salt Lake this week for Henry's scans.  Tables were turned -- usually it's been Brendan visiting Henry.  Now Henry is visiting Brendan.

 Then Brendan tried nachos.   And Cheetos.   (Ok, he didn't each much of any one thing -- just a little of each.)

The plan tomorrow is to get Brendan a bag of platelets about 4 or 5 a.m. (Brendan's platelet numbers barely go up despite giving him a bag every day or so -- and two yesterday.  They want to give him a boost before they send him home.)  Then, we have to get him set up on Hospice so he can have his pain pump at home.  Today the doctors started him on a clotting medicine (usually given to hemophiliacs) to keep him from bleeding as much as possible, since his platelets deplete so quickly.

If Brendan can tolerate the food he ate today, and his overnight "feeds" then we can manage his food at home.  The fluid in his abdomen and surrounding his lungs are a big concern as it makes it hard for Brendan to breathe comfortably.  We will have to get oxygen at home as well.  There will be a lot to coordinate in the morning.  And a lot will depend on how he manages tonight.

I've realized today that the only explanation for Brendan doing so well is the faith and prayers of all of you.  Thank you for the precious time your faithful pleadings have brought about.