It looks to me like they enjoyed their time there
Monday, July 14, 2014
Pine Valley
Doug and Janet took the big kids up to Pine Valley for a few days once they got back to town. Our kids love it up there; it's a lot cooler than St. George air, there's more to do, plus it's grandma and grandpas so you get to do funner things.
It looks to me like they enjoyed their time there
It looks to me like they enjoyed their time there
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Danjanovich kids 2014
Noah 11, Smith 9, Jones 8, Cutler 7, Hallie 5, Reese 5, Lexie 5, Blake 4, Cade 2, Wade 23 months, Mason 23 months
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Kids' 4th of July
While we're up north, Sherie is taking care of the kids for the weekend. They got up early and were at the parade by 8:00, went to Black Bear Diner afterwards for breakfast with Stefanie, Melanie and kids, and then Sherie made number shirts for each of the grandkids and they took pictures. That's always a stressful, crazy, hour, but we're all happy when they're done and we have them. They had a bbq at Mark & Michelle's, and watched uncle Dave's fireworks, then headed over to our favorite spot on the black hill to watch the city fireworks. We're so sad we can't be home with them on a holiday, but I know they're taken care of and having so much fun!!
These are all a little blurry - they're a picture of a picture
(replace with original)
They all had so much fun and were completely worn out by the end of the day.
Friday, July 4, 2014
Mine and Colby's 4th of July
Facebook post:
Oh what a day! I'll just warn you right now, these posts serve as my journal through this. I have to give some details so I have them, so the information may be a little much or boring for some of you. I apologize for that, but I'm not in any state of mind to update family and friends through text and fb and keep a journal. So this is it for now.
Today has been a busy and eventful day for Colby. When I got to the hospital this morning they had him sitting up and were about to give him a bath. Since I got there they 'let' me do it. His nurse was pretty concerned with his lack of balance and coordination so she had the physical therapist come in and work with him a little. She did some exercises with him, squeeze fingers, shrug shoulders, lift arms above head, straighten them, march while sitting, straighten leg and flex foot, push and pull her. And then she wanted to get him up. Out of bed. Sitting in a chair. Walking. Moving around. So...we did. He had to use a walker, plus have the nurse and PT hold him. It definitely took both of them to get him up and keep him up. He walked out of his room, down the hall, and back. And he did so good! Sure he's wobbly, his equilibrium is off and he sometimes wasn't sure which foot to put first, but it's baby steps! He needs to get moving for a few reasons. 1- it will make him stronger 2- get his bowels moving 3- keep his lungs open and working. He's very cooperative and allows the help. Which is awesome!
His nurse doesn't think his balance issue has anything to do with his double vision, which he says is 10 times worse since surgery. His eyes still wander a little, and he doesn't look straight at you when he's looking at you. Sounds weird. It is. I did talk to him about that, but told him the nurses aren't concerned so he's not worried. Today I was still concerned. So when Dr. R came by I asked him about it. He's a tricky man to talk to! When he came in the room he asked if Colby was ready to go to the other floor. We told him he still had his catheter and that ticked him off. "Get it out! Gone! Take it! Now!" He was almost yelling at the nurse. When she told him she wanted to talk about it he said there was nothing to talk about. This wasn't a discussion it was an order. Get the catheter out and get him out of ICU. We all kind of walked away and let their conversation play out. He did have to get an MRI so he compromised and let it stay in until that was done. The problem with taking it out is that he can't just get up and go to the bathroom. He needs help. And waiting for it might not always be an option. But he cannot get out of bed by himself. Dr. R says that's why he wants it out. It makes him get up and walk and then he'll get stronger and get his balance back. We'll see! So far, it's not working. So, when I asked him about his eyes he seemed a little frustrated that I was bothered by it. He expects him to have those problems. He had it before surgery, so he'll definitely have it after. That's where the tumor is, and with all his probing and messing around in there, he will have problems. But it will go away. He just doesn't know when. Possibly 2 weeks to 6 months.That part is frustrating! But we'll learn to be patient with it.
These are his nurse doing her Neuro testing on him today. He has to pull her hands, push her away, and then a couple where he can't let her move him. Notice the blue bag? He doesn't let it out of his reach!
Tonight his nurse did a bladder scan because he hasn't been able to pee, and she said there's about 12-15 oz in there. If he doesn't go soon, she'll have to put a catheter back in just to drain it. Which she doesn't want to do at all!! He's been sleeping good, and hasn't really been in very much pain. He did scare me a little tonight...we were watching the fireworks and he started saying weird things. Just basically was finishing conversations we'd had earlier in the day. But it wasn't really making sense to me. He said "I'm really glad Sherie came when she did." I had to ask him to elaborate more to get that she came at a good time to help with the kids so we could finish packing and get up here. Then "I'm sure Hallie helped with Lexie's hair" "ask her to get some electrical tape. I'm sure she has some in her car" pointing behind him to the nurse, who wasn't there. He wanted her to fix a spot they had taken out an IV. It didn't need to be fixed. "Don't sit there!!" Talking to Noah. "Cutler!!" Mad about something?? During all of this I was talking to him. Asked him questions about all of it. Finally thought maybe he was asleep and sleep talking, which he doesn't normally do, but he would immediately answer me and say yes he was asleep. I said to him the boys aren't here, you know that right? Yes! He answers immediately. Almost before you're done asking. This all just made me nervous so I got the nurse and she did some neuro tests on him. Where are you? What's today? Who's this lady standing by me? And he passed. So she thinks he really did doze off and was just way out of it and talking. But if it happens again she'll call Dr. R. So I'm staying at the hospital tonight with him so I can watch and listen. Also, his speech is different. I don't want to say it's slurring, but it's almost mumbly. He doesn't really close his mouth when he talks. Can't really explain it. I talked to him about it. He knows it's different but can't decide why. It seems hard for him to talk. Not sure if moving His mouth is too much work, or making the voice come out.
His room is up on the 14th floor of the hospital, and thankfully we're on the back side, where we face Murray Park, which is where they do the fireworks. So we just pulled chairs up to the window and watched them. It was the next best thing to being home, up on the black hill watching them with our kids and family.
So for Saturday we need a few things to happen. I guess I want some things to happen. We need his vision to get better. He needs to be able to balance better. He needs some urine output and a bowel movement. His speech needs to get stronger, and he needs to keep liquids down so he can move on to food. Ok, so this doesn't all have to happen tomorrow, but maybe he could use some more prayers?! At least the bathroom bit, eating, and balance. I would feel better if those were improving. We really are so grateful for everyone who has been a part of this journey. It's definitely a trial, and I know we'll make it through by putting all our faith in The Lord. We couldn't do it without Him!!
Oh what a day! I'll just warn you right now, these posts serve as my journal through this. I have to give some details so I have them, so the information may be a little much or boring for some of you. I apologize for that, but I'm not in any state of mind to update family and friends through text and fb and keep a journal. So this is it for now.
Today has been a busy and eventful day for Colby. When I got to the hospital this morning they had him sitting up and were about to give him a bath. Since I got there they 'let' me do it. His nurse was pretty concerned with his lack of balance and coordination so she had the physical therapist come in and work with him a little. She did some exercises with him, squeeze fingers, shrug shoulders, lift arms above head, straighten them, march while sitting, straighten leg and flex foot, push and pull her. And then she wanted to get him up. Out of bed. Sitting in a chair. Walking. Moving around. So...we did. He had to use a walker, plus have the nurse and PT hold him. It definitely took both of them to get him up and keep him up. He walked out of his room, down the hall, and back. And he did so good! Sure he's wobbly, his equilibrium is off and he sometimes wasn't sure which foot to put first, but it's baby steps! He needs to get moving for a few reasons. 1- it will make him stronger 2- get his bowels moving 3- keep his lungs open and working. He's very cooperative and allows the help. Which is awesome!
His nurse doesn't think his balance issue has anything to do with his double vision, which he says is 10 times worse since surgery. His eyes still wander a little, and he doesn't look straight at you when he's looking at you. Sounds weird. It is. I did talk to him about that, but told him the nurses aren't concerned so he's not worried. Today I was still concerned. So when Dr. R came by I asked him about it. He's a tricky man to talk to! When he came in the room he asked if Colby was ready to go to the other floor. We told him he still had his catheter and that ticked him off. "Get it out! Gone! Take it! Now!" He was almost yelling at the nurse. When she told him she wanted to talk about it he said there was nothing to talk about. This wasn't a discussion it was an order. Get the catheter out and get him out of ICU. We all kind of walked away and let their conversation play out. He did have to get an MRI so he compromised and let it stay in until that was done. The problem with taking it out is that he can't just get up and go to the bathroom. He needs help. And waiting for it might not always be an option. But he cannot get out of bed by himself. Dr. R says that's why he wants it out. It makes him get up and walk and then he'll get stronger and get his balance back. We'll see! So far, it's not working. So, when I asked him about his eyes he seemed a little frustrated that I was bothered by it. He expects him to have those problems. He had it before surgery, so he'll definitely have it after. That's where the tumor is, and with all his probing and messing around in there, he will have problems. But it will go away. He just doesn't know when. Possibly 2 weeks to 6 months.That part is frustrating! But we'll learn to be patient with it.
These are his nurse doing her Neuro testing on him today. He has to pull her hands, push her away, and then a couple where he can't let her move him. Notice the blue bag? He doesn't let it out of his reach!
Tonight his nurse did a bladder scan because he hasn't been able to pee, and she said there's about 12-15 oz in there. If he doesn't go soon, she'll have to put a catheter back in just to drain it. Which she doesn't want to do at all!! He's been sleeping good, and hasn't really been in very much pain. He did scare me a little tonight...we were watching the fireworks and he started saying weird things. Just basically was finishing conversations we'd had earlier in the day. But it wasn't really making sense to me. He said "I'm really glad Sherie came when she did." I had to ask him to elaborate more to get that she came at a good time to help with the kids so we could finish packing and get up here. Then "I'm sure Hallie helped with Lexie's hair" "ask her to get some electrical tape. I'm sure she has some in her car" pointing behind him to the nurse, who wasn't there. He wanted her to fix a spot they had taken out an IV. It didn't need to be fixed. "Don't sit there!!" Talking to Noah. "Cutler!!" Mad about something?? During all of this I was talking to him. Asked him questions about all of it. Finally thought maybe he was asleep and sleep talking, which he doesn't normally do, but he would immediately answer me and say yes he was asleep. I said to him the boys aren't here, you know that right? Yes! He answers immediately. Almost before you're done asking. This all just made me nervous so I got the nurse and she did some neuro tests on him. Where are you? What's today? Who's this lady standing by me? And he passed. So she thinks he really did doze off and was just way out of it and talking. But if it happens again she'll call Dr. R. So I'm staying at the hospital tonight with him so I can watch and listen. Also, his speech is different. I don't want to say it's slurring, but it's almost mumbly. He doesn't really close his mouth when he talks. Can't really explain it. I talked to him about it. He knows it's different but can't decide why. It seems hard for him to talk. Not sure if moving His mouth is too much work, or making the voice come out.
His room is up on the 14th floor of the hospital, and thankfully we're on the back side, where we face Murray Park, which is where they do the fireworks. So we just pulled chairs up to the window and watched them. It was the next best thing to being home, up on the black hill watching them with our kids and family.
So for Saturday we need a few things to happen. I guess I want some things to happen. We need his vision to get better. He needs to be able to balance better. He needs some urine output and a bowel movement. His speech needs to get stronger, and he needs to keep liquids down so he can move on to food. Ok, so this doesn't all have to happen tomorrow, but maybe he could use some more prayers?! At least the bathroom bit, eating, and balance. I would feel better if those were improving. We really are so grateful for everyone who has been a part of this journey. It's definitely a trial, and I know we'll make it through by putting all our faith in The Lord. We couldn't do it without Him!!
Thursday, July 3, 2014
The big day
Colby and I said goodbye to the kids around 1:00 yesterday, left them with Sherie at our house and got on our way. Both of our parents drove up yesterday too. We met Sarah & Alan for dinner at Texas Roadhouse and then headed to the hotel.
As we layed in bed last night, we talked about our fears, some of the things we want for our kids, and we cried. We cried hard! My biggest fear is that he'll lose his memory. He'll forget me and the kids. I can learn to live and deal with physical deficits, but mental ones, I'm not so sure.
We both probably only got about 4 hours of sleep before we had to get up and be to the hospital by 6:00, which meant we had to leave the hotel by 5:30.
Here is a picture of the last MRI Dr. Reichman wanted so he could figure out a plan for surgery.
Facebook post:
Here we go again! I have such mixed emotions about today. We've waited a month for it to get here, yet hoped it wouldn't come too quickly. We're ready for some answers and are scared to death at the same time. We just got to the hospital and are waiting to check in. Assuming surgery prep will take a little over an hour or so, they'll probably get started around 7:30. Dr. Reichman was originally hoping that once he got in there, and could see the tumor, that he would be able to tell that it was the type he could just take out, and that it would be in a good position to do so. After talking to him yesterday, we know that's not going to be the case. We've talked to two different hospital/office staff that have mentioned resection during surgery, and that that was the plan. When we asked Dr. R about that, he said it's not the plan. He had Colby get another MRI a couple of weeks ago so he could get a better idea of the location and make a plan of how he was going to go in, after seeing the scans, he's only going to be able to do biopsy today. And isn't planning on results until after we've gone home. Sounds like colby will only be in the hospital for a few days.
I'll update later as things progress and I hear more. For now, prayers are welcomed , felt, and loved!!
When they called Colby's name, they took us back into a room to do his vitals and sign papers. That was THE hardest thing we've done yet. I made him fill out an Advance Health Care Directive. It basically makes any healthcare decisions for Colby, in case he ends up unable to speak for himself. He chooses now what he would like to happen if something goes wrong. So…if he doesn't wake up, or ends up in a coma, I don't have to say pull the plug, or keep him on life support. But signing your life away, literally, has a whole new meaning to us.
When they were all done getting him ready, they wheeled him out, told us to say our goodbyes and I went one way, they went the other. We hugged and kissed and cried. I told him he would be ok, not really so sure, but I had to stay positive.
My parents got to the hospital right at 7:00. I am so grateful for them and the support they give me. I don't ever want to ask anyone to do something for me, I just want to be able to handle it on my own, but man am I glad they came. They were in the waiting room when I walked in. My mom stood up to give me a hug and I lost it! LOST IT! Which I think was good. It feels good to get it out, and I think it's good for me too.
They took Colby back in to surgery right at 7:00, one of the surgery techs called me in the waiting room at 8:20 to let me know they had just made incision and should be done in about 3 hours. When surgery was over they called me and told me to go up to the 4th floor waiting room and wait for Reichman to give me an update, and then we could see Colby.
Dr. Reichman just came in at about 11:30 to update on Colby. He's done with surgery and we're waiting for them to bring him to the room. He said he feels like the surgery went very well, much better than he thought it would. He was able to go in vertically, which he wasn't very optimistic about before. And he was able to resect some of the tumor which he wasn't planning on doing. When he got in there it was right there and accessible. He was able to go up through an aqua duct that opened up, which he didn't think he would be able to do. He thinks he got about 70% of it!! He only lost about a coke can worth of blood which is great!! We'll know a lot more after we get results back, but that won't be for about 10 days. The freeze didn't work like he hoped it would, so we don't have any results right now. We'll see him in about 30-45 minutes, let's hope he remembers us. Dr. R doesn't think that will really be affected, but we won't know any side effects until he's in recovery and watched for a while. The next 24 hours is very crucial!
After brain surgery it's protocol that they go to the 4th floor, which is the Neuro ICU, where Colby has to stay for 24 hours so they can watch him very closely. They do neuro testing every 2 hours where they ask him questions like where he is, his name, the date, etc…, and they have him do physical things like squeeze their fingers, hold his arms out straight with eyes closed, it's very interesting. And so far he's done very well with everything, except moving his eyes. They aren't working together and they're not 100% sure why.
Colby did great his first day out of surgery. He's still in ICU but first and foremost he remembers me!! I was so worried that he wouldn't, and not really for me, but if he doesn't' remember me, chances are he wouldn't remember the kids. And that would be devastating!! But we don't have to worry about that. He had a hard time waking up and an even harder time opening his eyes. All day it has been a challenge to keep them open. The blurred vision is worse now, and Dr. R bought that because his vision was affected before the surgery, it would most likely be after. When I first saw him though, his eyes didn't match up. The left eye seemed to wander a little, while he tried to focus with his right eye. He has had 4 different people come in and check them, but the nurse says none of them seem to be concerned yet. I am though!! But I'm not very patient. Trying!! They did come in and bring him a patch, so he now looks like a pirate!
As we layed in bed last night, we talked about our fears, some of the things we want for our kids, and we cried. We cried hard! My biggest fear is that he'll lose his memory. He'll forget me and the kids. I can learn to live and deal with physical deficits, but mental ones, I'm not so sure.
We both probably only got about 4 hours of sleep before we had to get up and be to the hospital by 6:00, which meant we had to leave the hotel by 5:30.
Here is a picture of the last MRI Dr. Reichman wanted so he could figure out a plan for surgery.
Facebook post:
Here we go again! I have such mixed emotions about today. We've waited a month for it to get here, yet hoped it wouldn't come too quickly. We're ready for some answers and are scared to death at the same time. We just got to the hospital and are waiting to check in. Assuming surgery prep will take a little over an hour or so, they'll probably get started around 7:30. Dr. Reichman was originally hoping that once he got in there, and could see the tumor, that he would be able to tell that it was the type he could just take out, and that it would be in a good position to do so. After talking to him yesterday, we know that's not going to be the case. We've talked to two different hospital/office staff that have mentioned resection during surgery, and that that was the plan. When we asked Dr. R about that, he said it's not the plan. He had Colby get another MRI a couple of weeks ago so he could get a better idea of the location and make a plan of how he was going to go in, after seeing the scans, he's only going to be able to do biopsy today. And isn't planning on results until after we've gone home. Sounds like colby will only be in the hospital for a few days.
I'll update later as things progress and I hear more. For now, prayers are welcomed , felt, and loved!!
When they called Colby's name, they took us back into a room to do his vitals and sign papers. That was THE hardest thing we've done yet. I made him fill out an Advance Health Care Directive. It basically makes any healthcare decisions for Colby, in case he ends up unable to speak for himself. He chooses now what he would like to happen if something goes wrong. So…if he doesn't wake up, or ends up in a coma, I don't have to say pull the plug, or keep him on life support. But signing your life away, literally, has a whole new meaning to us.
When they were all done getting him ready, they wheeled him out, told us to say our goodbyes and I went one way, they went the other. We hugged and kissed and cried. I told him he would be ok, not really so sure, but I had to stay positive.
My parents got to the hospital right at 7:00. I am so grateful for them and the support they give me. I don't ever want to ask anyone to do something for me, I just want to be able to handle it on my own, but man am I glad they came. They were in the waiting room when I walked in. My mom stood up to give me a hug and I lost it! LOST IT! Which I think was good. It feels good to get it out, and I think it's good for me too.
They took Colby back in to surgery right at 7:00, one of the surgery techs called me in the waiting room at 8:20 to let me know they had just made incision and should be done in about 3 hours. When surgery was over they called me and told me to go up to the 4th floor waiting room and wait for Reichman to give me an update, and then we could see Colby.
Dr. Reichman just came in at about 11:30 to update on Colby. He's done with surgery and we're waiting for them to bring him to the room. He said he feels like the surgery went very well, much better than he thought it would. He was able to go in vertically, which he wasn't very optimistic about before. And he was able to resect some of the tumor which he wasn't planning on doing. When he got in there it was right there and accessible. He was able to go up through an aqua duct that opened up, which he didn't think he would be able to do. He thinks he got about 70% of it!! He only lost about a coke can worth of blood which is great!! We'll know a lot more after we get results back, but that won't be for about 10 days. The freeze didn't work like he hoped it would, so we don't have any results right now. We'll see him in about 30-45 minutes, let's hope he remembers us. Dr. R doesn't think that will really be affected, but we won't know any side effects until he's in recovery and watched for a while. The next 24 hours is very crucial!
After brain surgery it's protocol that they go to the 4th floor, which is the Neuro ICU, where Colby has to stay for 24 hours so they can watch him very closely. They do neuro testing every 2 hours where they ask him questions like where he is, his name, the date, etc…, and they have him do physical things like squeeze their fingers, hold his arms out straight with eyes closed, it's very interesting. And so far he's done very well with everything, except moving his eyes. They aren't working together and they're not 100% sure why.
Colby did great his first day out of surgery. He's still in ICU but first and foremost he remembers me!! I was so worried that he wouldn't, and not really for me, but if he doesn't' remember me, chances are he wouldn't remember the kids. And that would be devastating!! But we don't have to worry about that. He had a hard time waking up and an even harder time opening his eyes. All day it has been a challenge to keep them open. The blurred vision is worse now, and Dr. R bought that because his vision was affected before the surgery, it would most likely be after. When I first saw him though, his eyes didn't match up. The left eye seemed to wander a little, while he tried to focus with his right eye. He has had 4 different people come in and check them, but the nurse says none of them seem to be concerned yet. I am though!! But I'm not very patient. Trying!! They did come in and bring him a patch, so he now looks like a pirate!
The kids loved this picture! His incision is long!! It starts in the back of his head and goes down into his neck. So his neck is very sore because they stretch those muscles out during surgery. that's where his pain is. He's been pretty nauseous, which is expected with brain surgery, but it's making it hard to get to food and drinks. He wants to eat so bad and when he finally got some jello, he threw it up. Baby steps!! The nurse also showed us his ct scan from this afternoon and told us that his ventricles seem to be very swollen, like the largest he's ever seen, but that there was some surgery air in there still and that was causing it. Also there was a little blood, but Dr. Reichman is happy with the way his scans looked, so we will be too! So all good news, pretty much!
I want to share an experience our little family had over they weekend at home. It was our stake conference and we were very blessed to have our bishop, stake president, and Elder Terry from the seventy visit us. They talked with each of our kids, and showed great concern and love for each of them. Elder Terry talked to us about some personal experiences, and just kept telling us to keep having and exercising our faith. To put our trust in the Lord, and let His will be done. And to accept whatever may happen. We felt the spirit so strongly in our home. Well, today I got a message from our stake president that Elder Terry was asking about us and wanted to see us. About an hour later I got a call from him that he was standing outside Colby's room. I was in the cafeteria with my parents so I rushed up there to visit with him. He is such an amazing servant of the Lord. I barely know him, yet I love him. He hold a special place in our hearts. And he says the same about my family. It is such an amazing feeling to know that someone like him stops his busy everyday life to make ours feel important, and that we are loved. We know we are loved, we are so incredibly blessed because of this knowledge! We are SO unbelievably grateful for everyone's messages, prayers, thoughts, love and concern.
Couple of picture sent to me today from Sherie
I'm so happy to know that kids are resilient
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Colby's fireworks
Since we're leaving tomorrow to go up north for Colby's surgery, he wanted to do some fireworks tonight. We had most of our family + the MacIntosh's over just to be together, and once it was dark enough we all headed outside. We should have invested in some arial fireworks, but we're kinda cheap!
The big box was enough for us.
The pictures aren't the greatest, but it's the memory that matters!!
The big box was enough for us.
The pictures aren't the greatest, but it's the memory that matters!!
We loved having everyone there to help take our minds off of what was to come the next few days.
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