Patrick's Farewell

Hi Everyone!
I have been so busy getting this boy ready, starting my art classes, and driving carpool for early morning seminary that I forgot to let you all know about Patrick's farewell!!
Because of Fast Sunday and Conference they have asked him to speak on September 22 and our church starts at 9AM! I know it is early for those who have many things going on Saturday there in Utah. Sorry!  I am planning to do something for him afterwards, not sure where yet but it will be good! Geoff and I are hosting a ward party tonight so I have got to go... let me know if you need any more details. Thanks! Susan

Update #9

This is Carol Ann posting this. My heart is full of gratitude to the Lord for preserving my life. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and concern for me over the last three weeks. I have been through a life-changing ordeal. My chances of surviving this illness were 20%. My dear husband and all of our six children, their spouses, and our grandchildren attended to me and loved me during this ordeal. I love you all so much. As hard as this has been for our family, the blessings come as well. We know how much we all truly mean to each other and are taking every opportunity to express our love to each other often. Our testimonies have grown. God does have a plan for each one of us, and my time here on earth is not complete. I know I had the best of the best medical care-doctors and nurses attending to me. They were completely dedicated to saving my life. I was unconscious for five days in ICU, but my family has filled in the details of what happened to me. The heavy medication they gave me caused me to have wild hallucinations and disillusionment as I came conscious. Why anybody would choose that life style is beyond me.
I left the hospital on Jan. 19th. The recovery has been slow. My family continues to stand by me. The hospital gave me Lasix to get rid of the liquid they put in me to help with the Kidney stones, stent, etc. I lost 45 lb. of water in 8 days on it. Then I picked up a gastro-intestinal problem last weekend. After vomitting, etc., I went to my doctor Monday. My blood work came back positive, but I still have a urinary tract infection. I headed back to ER yesterday with extremely low blood pressure and my old rapid heart beat problem. I was stabilized and sent home (thank goodness!). They figure that I became extremely dehydrated with the Lasix treatment. I am now drinking 3 L. of liquid @day. I have added cranberry juice to my diet. They also put me on an additional antibiotic to get rid of this infection.
So, how's 2009 going for you? Happy New Year everyone. It can only get better from here, right? I love you and am still weak and tired. I appreciate the comments left on this blog. That is the easiest way for me to keep in contact with friends and extended family right now. Please continue to remember me in your prayers so I can have a full recovery. You are all in my prayers as well.
Love, Carol Ann

Update #8

I visited mom yesterday, Sunday Jan 18th and she was tryig to rest. She sounded a lot more like mom. She didn't have any tubes hooked up to her and she was up walking around. She said she walked the loop at the hospital even. Dad called me this morning and said they have given the ok to bring her home. Yesterday she was saying how bad she wanted to get out of there and get home. Now she will be able to really rest in a good bed with some quiet. Susan is in town to help dad out with things. Home Health is going to stop by tomorrow for an assesment and a Physical Therapist will begin to come over to get her back to normal.

I was telling mom about the nurses that have been so good to her. Beth is the first that comes to my mind. She was the 8 am to 8 pm shift nurse Saturday after dad brought her in Friday. She was amazing with mom and basically saved her life in my opinion. She and many others were the answers to our prayers for mom to get better. Beth watched moms stats and adjusted meds all during that day. All in all we have been blessed. There have been some great blessings performed and acts of faith that we can carry with us as a testimony.

Welcome home mom!

Brian

Update #7

I have been lucky enough to visit mom every day since she has been in the hospital. I was able to work from there on Monday and Tuesday and I have been able to stop by after work Wednesday and Thursday. She is doing great! She is trying to figure out ALL of the facts of what occurred and has had a life changing experience that has left her trying to express her love for everyone. She told me she has 100,000 more "I love yous" to go. The first thing she said today when I walked in is that she saved my life. I told her that we had saved hers so we were even. She has had some pretty wild dreams and dreamed that she saved each kids life. The doctor that delivered me was named Dr. Goddard. The doctor that saved moms life has the same name, Dr. Goddard. My doctor saved me when I stopped breathing after I was first born. Moms doctor has been sent from above. When he first spoke to my dad and I about my mother he was very clear about how serious the issue was. It was what we needed to hear because we had no idea what kind of state mom was in. The mortality rate of Septic shock is 50%. I feel now, that he was holding back on us that night. I think mom was in worse condition than the published averages. It has been a very slow process of recovery. We've waited hour by hour for improvement. I have found myself crying while driving, sitting at work and laying in bed. I have pleaded with the Lord to spare her for a while longer. Our prayers have been answered. I am grateful for my brother and sisters. They really are wonderful people. I have learned a lot from my father over the past few days. He is a wonderful human being. I couldn't have asked for a better father growing up. My mother is a fighter. She has a zeal for life. She always taught me growing up to be better, not bitter. I imagine she is a lot like Grandpa Millar, someone you would be proud to stand next to in battle.

At some point I know we will all lose loved ones some way or another to mortality. Tiana and I lost her mom to a long battle with cancer a short while back. It has been a hard time to say the least. She too is a wonderful person. We miss her dearly. I am sure she is heavily engaged in the Lords work on the other side. Perhaps needed more there than here. To that end I am grateful for the gospel in my life. The knowledge that we can be together forever. It is reassuring that there is a better place still for us to meet again. I am grateful for a Savior that loves us unconditionally and an atoning sacrifice with no end.

Mom has asked that if you are reading this blog that you please comment since she can't have visitors yet. I read the comment from Julie Blakeslee to her today and she said how much she loves you Julie. I have set myself up to moderate the comments so if you don't see them post right away I will get them on as quickly as possible.

Thank you,

Brian

Update #6b ...The Susan Edition

David, Natalie, and I are back in Boise now... Mom is doing so much better. Improving every day. She is still in CICU but has the ventilator tube out and all of her numbers are getting better. She is incredibly disoriented and does not understand what is going on- but can remember everything else in her life. They called me not too long after she had the tube out and she systematically re sited all of our names and our address. But she thought every one in the hospital was out to harm her. They have a feeding tube in now and have been able to clean her up which I am sure will make her feel better. The key now is to not get any illness in the hospital and to continue to improve. The hospital staff have been amazing and have educated us so much. We are all exhausted! Physically and emotionally. The stints are working and they will deal with the kidney stones later once she is healed from the septic shock. There are a few options there.

We are so thankful for all your thoughts and prayers. We have had a few nurses that helped in the beginning come by to visit that said they cannot believe she made it through the first 24 hours. One said you have a wonderful family and a lot of faith. "You have NO idea!" We are so grateful for all the prayers in Carol Ann's behalf. We feel that her recovery is a miracle just based on her comments from yesterday. She knows that she brushed death.

The first day she was in the hospital my sister Lisa's kids asked her what they could do. They were understandably upset and had made her cards but just needed to do more, so Lisa got on the church website and said "Why don't you call a few temples in Utah and Idaho and put her name on the prayer roles". Her sons produced a list of twenty temples they had called... from all over the country. Tennessee, New York, California... We were trying to figure out why they had chosen certain cities and then it dawned on us.... NFL cities. All their favorite teams! They are so great! We know this helped in her getting better. She's got people!

The next few weeks are going to be slow going. The Utah siblings are on call around the clock. I will be going back on Sunday or Monday and staying for a week to help with the transition to home. And then Natalie will take a break from work and go for a couple weeks to help out.

I have an amazing family. I just love my brothers and sisters and have been amazed at the compassion of each of them. And our father. He is so strong. I know he is running on adrenalin- but he is so good with mom. It is sweet. These are precious life experiences.

Sorry for the rambling. My heart is full and I am so thankful. We'll keep you posted.

Susan Krueger

Update #6

Good news today as mom continues to progress toward recovery. Her white count dropped again today and the doctors took out her vent. This was a great relief to us all. I think mom made up for the days she wasn't able to speak as she certainly had a lot to say! Much thanks to Dad, Lisa, Brian and Jill for helping her during this important stage of her recovery.

The physical therapist worked with her again today. She was able to stand for a bit, which is truly a miracle compared to where she was at just a few short days ago. She was also able to sit up for about 30min. Again, all positive signs as she continues to battle back.

The doctors indicated that she will stay in CICU for another day or so. They anticipate that she will continue to remain at the hospital for a week or more after moving off that unit. The hospital and staff has been amazing. We have been very grateful for the wonderful doctors, nurses and cafeteria workers. Yes...cafeteria workers!

We are so grateful for all of the calls, messages and prayers of support we have received from family and friends. It is a true testament of the many live our mom has touched.

We know that there are a great many of you that are anxious to visit her in person. We are continuing to request that you not do so at this time while she continues to recover. I know she is eager to reach out to those that she loves so much. We hope that it will be very soon that she may be able to do so.

Thank you all so much!

With love,

The Shepherd Kids

Update #5

Mom had a stint put in both kidneys to allow drainage of a build up of fluid. Her urine output is double today of what it was yesterday. She is very alert and wants to talk but can't because of the tube in her mouth. They are going to try and give her some food today via a tube and may pull the respirator out tonight if she can continue to progress the way she has. She will remain in ICU for a couple more days and then will go to another room in the hospital for about a week.

The doctors have said that it is a miracle that she has progressed the way she has and won't lose any fingers or toes. We are so thankful for the thoughts and prayers and faith from family members and loving friends.

Thanks,

The Shepherd kids

Update #4

We spoke with the doctor this morning and he let us know that he has contacted a Urologist and they believe they have found some Puss on her right kidney and they want to go in and take care of it and the kidney stones and insert a stint to connect the kidney and the bladder. This will occur sometime later today after the Urologist can check her and make a decision.

Her White Blood Cells are down again today and she is a lot more alert. She is showing signs of being able to breathe on her own and is anxious to talk. The tube to help her stay alive will not come out for a few more days.

We are trying to help her understand the situation and we can sense some anxiety. Please pray for her to relax and heal. She is understandably very upset.

Dad is doing well. We are trying to stay with him as much as we can also.

Thanks,

The Shepherd kids.

Update #3

She is continuing to make progress and although slow, it is positive. She recognizes us now and can even respond a little. They have taken her off of two of the three blood pressure meds and does not need as much Oxygen as before. Her white blood cell count is still elevated but not climbing anymore. Her color and circulation looks a lot better from yesterday. She is still intibated as they continue with the antibiotics to deal with the strep. They have found a large amount of kidney stones in her kidney and Urethra but they can't do anything about it until she gets much better.

Again, we appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers and will continue to try and keep you up to date as we know more information.

The Shepherd kids.

Update on Carol Ann #2

The doctor has told us that mom has Strep type A in her blood. The doctor also said that she made good progress through the night but still has a way to go. Her lungs look good and her heartbeat is more regular. We have had wonderful nurses and feel so blessed because of it! The Farnworth kids have called 20+ temples to add her name to the prayer rolls which is a wonderful act of faith. All of the kids are in town now to help support our mother and father.

We appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers. The hospital has asked that we remind everyone that only immediate family (spouse and kids) should visit at this time. We will continue to update this blog as we here news.

Thank you,

The Shepherd kids.