Thursday, October 9, 2008

BIG NEWS, Will is coming back to Idaho!!!!! 10/09/08 1:53 AM

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and step off. Either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly! How wonderful that we believe that with our whole heart!

Will is finally leaving Utah. His health team, that includes family, nurses, RT's, PT's and aides, thinks it's time to move him back to Idaho. He's not well enough to come home home but we have found a new critical care hospital in Boise. They can take care of all Will's needs and they specialize in vent weaning (getting people off the vent), physical therapy, and dialysis. It sounds perfect and they take Idaho Medicare. It's a new facility so everything is up and running and shining.

Several of us have gone and looked over the place-Grandma, Grandpa Atwood, Angel, Aaron, Tom, Will's cousins and myself. We have gone several times unannounced and dropped in on patients also. It has passed all those tests. The doctors seem to have experience in all of Will's "issues" --that's what term the docs are using now. I just know it's going to be a positive move.
He's still not doing so well, but maybe a new place might be the push that he needs. Who knows?

So this is the big news-Will is leaving the University Hospital at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday morning in an ambulance and Tom will be going in his truck behind him. Because of all the equipment Will needs and the people he needs to run the equipment, there's just no room for the dad. Angel and I will wait for them in Boise and we begin a new beginning. We took a few days off from school so we can help Will get settled. Our choice was not made easily and we need prayers that it will be the right choice for Will. Sorry we had to keep it a secret for so long, but Will wanted it that way.

The U of U has been our home away from home for the last 7 1/2 months. I can't even begin to describe how much we are going to miss all the people. There was a lot of tears these last few days, but we feel that it would be in Will's best interest to get him closer to home so he can have more family and friends to visit him. Of course we don't want visitors right away because he'll be settling in and getting his new schedule figured out. We will let everyone know when it will be okay to see him. It's going to be quite an adjustment for him, as you can imagine. I think we have to build Dr. Cahill a house so she will move up here with him, but we are willing to do that for sure.

Please pray for Will and our family. I don't know how much sleep we are going to get tonight but I will have a lot to say on tomorrow night's blog. Maybe I can even get some pictures up for you all. If not, I promise to do it real soon. How exciting and how scary at the same time. Will didn't want me to put this on the blog until he actually left because of all the times we have planned things and then something has come up and we couldn't do it. He didn't want to get everyone's hopes up. So I told him I would wait until the day he left to post it on the blog. I still can't believe he gets to do it. It will be good. It will be good. It will be good. Okay, I'm convinced now.

God bless and
Oh, Lord take care of us now. Amen.

P.S. Will's Grandma Cherie just had a big, big birthday(I don't know if she wants everyone to know just how big:). We wanted to wish her happy birthday with our love. Will said he will give her a foot rub when he gets to Boise. The hospital is only about five minutes from Grandma and Grandpa's house.

10 comments:

Dixie said...

WILL,
CONGRATULATIONS ON MAKING IT BACK
TO IDAHO. HOW EXCITING. I BET THAT IS A BIG RELIEF FOR YOUR FAMILY. NOW IT IS ONLY A "SHORT" DRIVE FOR YOU TERI AND ANGEL TO GO AND SEE WILL.
IT IS A NEW CHAPTER AND ONE STEP CLOSER TO HAGERMAN. TERI, I'M SURE YOU,TOM AND ANGEL WILL WHIP THOSE NEW NURSES,DOCTORS, AND THERAPIST INTO SHAPE.
WAY TO GO WILL.

LOVE,
DIXIE

P.S. SORRY FOR THE MISPELLINGS IT'S
5:00AM AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING ALL NIGHT.

Culley's said...

Awesome! I have such good feelings that it will be a positive move for you. The
place sounds great- with it
comes new ideas. So Happy for
you all. Good Luck on your journey. Coming Home-to your state of Idaho will be worth the long drive your undertaking. Many Blessings & Prayers coming your way. -Culleys

Karen A. (kka) said...

I visited the facility in Boise with Billie and it's beautiful! I can really see Will's spirits lifting in this very bright, beautiful, new facility. YEA YEA YEA!

Haneys said...

Bon Voyage! WOW! If all is going as scheduled you're already almost 1/2way there, cuz! I am so thrilled. Hopefully you've chosen the same hospital at which I interned, they were AWESOME! and it would take no time for you to settle in. I can tell by the voice in your words that you feel great about this and we do too! Although, I'm sure it was a tough decision to make, I think we're about to be reminded how rewarding risk-taking can be! How wonderful that Will will be surrounded by family and closer to friends now...hopefully, that will make all the difference, along with the specialized care.
Tell Grandma "Happy Birthday" for me, if you would. I didn't even know...but, ignorance isn't a good enough excuse for these things, or I'd be off the hook a LOT:)I think it fitting that Will return the footrub favor, sounds like she's put a lot of hours into keeping Will's feet in shape!
We'll pray that the Lord keeps you safe and full of heart during this new chapter of the journey and that he gives the medical providers all of the tools they need to assist Will in his recovery.
We love you all SO, SO, SO, much!
Hugs & Smooches
MaeDawn & Family

Pam said...

Amen!

We are all excited to have you coming to Boise! There are plenty of us waiting for when you can have visitors.

I was in Hagerman yesterday watching my nephew's football game and ran into Coach. We talked about how good it would be to get you back in Idaho--little did I know it would be TODAY! Yeah!!!

Angel/Aaron, Tom/Terri, Randy/Donna - I know you have plenty of places to stay, but Hotel McDonald is always an option if you need a place to stay.

Will - I thought about you a lot yesterday while I was in Hagerman. This is just the move you need. We'll see you just as soon as you are up to visitors.

Thanks to all at U of U for the tender, loving care that you have given Will.

We're praying for good things and great changes.
Pam and Dave

Jen Holtzen said...

What great news! It will be FABULOUS to have Will back in the beautiful state of IDAHO! God answers our prayers, he is back and it will be a positive move I AM SURE! You'll probably get tired of the many visitors you will be getting, but if you weren't such a popular guy...
Good luck on the settling in, I hope it all goes smoothly.
I echo all the thanks to the U of U team, you've done quite a job taking care of a great man!
Can't wait to come visit, hope you are feeling better soon.

Toni Mendive said...

Yea, Harbisons!
Life will be better for all...you're truly blessed to have that kind of facility closer to home! May God, through our prayers, continue to bless & watch over this truly unique family!
Regards, Toni Mendive

Brittany Savage said...

Utah misses you already. Good luck, Will! -Brittany (IMCU HUC)

Tora Russell & fam said...

Terri, Tom and Will...I don't know how work will be without you guys to talk with. Thanks for always talking and listening to the stories. Will, I wish you the best at your new facility and know that great things are ahead. You are truely an inspiration. Keep in touch. We'll all be watching the blog. -- Tora

Unknown said...

how exciting YEAH :)...
The lord has answered all of our prayers..
Well you know how they used to do a barn raising maybe we need to do a house raising for Dr Cahill.
I am sure we would have more then enough folks to build it. :) we would be falling over each other...

Leslie