Uncle Roger Update

Roger has been in the CVICU for almost two weeks now. Since he was admitted he's been under sedation. Yesterday they lowered the amount and he woke up for the first time. He is still very out of it, and can't speak because he is on the ventilator ... however it's very encouraging to see signs of life! The kids made 2 posters for him that say "We Love You" and "Get Well Soon" with all 35 nieces and nephews signatures. The lab results recently showed that he has a rare disease contracted from the tick bite after biting a rabbit. Tularemia is also known as "rabbit fever". It has settled into his extremities and 4 of his fingers are turning black at the tips ... he may lose his fingers. Tomorrow the doctors will need to remove the ventilator and surgically place a tube directly into his throat as the tissue in his mouth and throat lining can begin to deteriorate. His body is tolerating lower levels of oxygen, however the vent is still doing 100% of the lung's work ... which means he will require this for a much longer time. His body is extremely swollen.
Having said all that ... it was great to see him look back! Our hopes are that he can hear us and understand what we're saying.

Uncle Roger

Tom's oldest brother was attacked by an infection (that is possibly from an insect bite) that spread throughout his body and became septic. Tuesday he was admitted to the hospital and immediately sedated, and even paralyzed, in order to aggressively fight the infection. His lungs were not working properly and his kidneys were failing. The family was told he would not make it if his oxygen levels did not increase within the first six hours. Gratefully, they did and he made it through the night. Tom's oldest sister happened to be visiting from California with her six children. She has been a strength to the family, and has led us through a family fast and reading from the scriptures to Roger. Even though he is heavily sedated we feel he can hear us, and hope he will know he is loved and fight to live. A brother has flown in from Alaska, another from San Diego with his newborn daughter and wife, and another will drive in with his family from Arkansas tomorrow. This means all 8 siblings will be together ... all in an effort to show their love for their brother.
This evening when we visited, he was showing signs of breathing on his own. He has a very long road ahead of him, and we hope there will be no long term effects on his body. He has a teenage daughter and a teenage son, who will be a senior in high school this year.
Please remember this dear Uncle in your prayers.

Camp Rock?

Well ... it was actually Camp Band! Kaylee just finished her first year at the the University of Arkansas Band Camp. A whole week of fun, rehearsal, activities, rehearsal, food, rehearsal, dancing, and oh yeah, rehearsal. She stayed in a real college dorm with her friend Lynzee and even ordered real college pizza! She had a great time, the only part she didn't like was ... the rehearsing. Friday Annie joined us as we drove to Fayetteville to listen to the grand finale as her band performed the music they'd been working on all week. (It was a long drive ... Tom needed to take out his frustrations on someone!) Her performance was amazing! On the last day she met a new LDS friend (yes, unfortunately it was the last day). They will see each other again soon, however, at the YW girls' camp because she is from Owasso. Good times.

Meanwhile, we were having our own "good times" ... we swapped kids so Chelsea spent the week in Arkansas with Graycie and Duckie came home with us! Aunt Mindy and her family are also visiting from California ... so we have more exciting stories to come!