Tough times

Our family has had some major medical issues recently. This is just a simple, quick update.
1- Ruth (my sister-in-law in Bountiful) had open heart surgery about a week and a half ago to remove a tumor and fix a hole. She came home Tuesday- just in time to send her son, Jonathan, off to the MTC. She is doing amazingly well. (lesson learned- take care of yourself so you can recover from incidences easier) Her sister and the Cannon kids are doing a great job of helping her out. Another son is getting married on June 25. They are moving into mom's basement apartment, which will be a comfort to have someone there.

2- Mindy had gall bladder surgery on Wednesday. It was quite routine and she was home that night. April and I came down to help her with the kids. I was delayed a bit getting here (Saratoga Springs) because of a bad ulcer attack. But thanks to modern drugs I am able to function without pain. She is healing nicely but needs a lot of help with the kids. Stockton and Logan are at the "trouble stage". They are everywhere and don't quite understand no or to not do something a second time when they got hurt the first time.

3-My mom fell Thursday night and even though several people offered to take her to the doc to get checked she didn't. She had a horrid night and Friday morning had her dear neighbor Hannah take her to insta-care. They immediately put her in an ambulance and sent her to Lakeview (the hospital in Bountiful). They sent her to the U of U medical center via ambulance where she ended up in the burn trauma ICU. Just because that was the only ICU room available. She broke 2 vertebrae- C1 and C2. She had to lie flat with a neck brace until they could get her into surgery this morning. That is where we are now- waiting for the word on how it went.

For all you Grey's Anatomy fans. Her surgeon is a real life Dr. McDreamy. OK, I haven't even seen him but he is a neuro surgeon and there are lots of residents around here. I wonder if they live a soap opera life????

The good news-
1- Becca and Steven flew in Thursday night for Becca's best friends wedding. They have been able to have a fun time with Mindy, Garry, their kids and April. I have been sad that I have only been able to spend a little time with them.
2-We are so blessed with good medical help. Mom has 2 very good friends that are doctors here and they have been in contact with assurance that she is in good hands. Almost all of the nurses and doctors that have given her care are so nice and caring! (OK, there was one that reminded me of someone who shall not be mentioned that I could have lived without)
3- Dave and I had an incredible opportunity to be in the room with mom when Elder Kikuchi (sp?) came in to give her a blessing. He is in Mom's ward and was a home teacher with dad. He had Dave assist in the blessing, at the moment I didn't realize what an experience that was for Dave but he was a little in awe. Elder Kikuchi is very soft spoken but as he started the blessing his voice was "powerful". He blessed mom with power and strength. He blessed every part of her body specifically to function properly, her heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, bones, muscles, sinew, etc. He also reminded her that her husband and son were praying for her as well as other family gone before. It was a powerful blessing and comforted her greatly. Mom also has the best friends and neighbors. They have been here to offer help wherever needed and I feel their sincere concern and love with each word they speak.
4- I am grateful for the Lord's blessings. Dave and I were sitting in the cafeteria yesterday when a man came and sat near us. He called someone and told them he was at the Uof U with his wife in ICU- she had lost their baby and she had complications. They were 2,000 miles away from home and had used up their credit card and knew nobody in Utah. I just cried at the thought. Dave spent a long time talking to him and helping him find some help.

Final word- I know that the Lord's hand is in all we do. I really don't know why we have to go through all this but my family and I are truly blessed as we face our trials.