Jan 31, 2009 Sat. LAST DAY OF JANUARY!

Will had therapy today and Kevin really worked him hard. They are working on endurance so he walked the hallway for almost the whole 30 min. My Aunt Gloria brought over some fresh fruit from their orchard. Our neighbors and friends, Wayne and Lyn Ills, brought us over some food for dinner. It was very, very good. Willie even ate the pork chops and he doesn't usually like them. (Well, that didn't come out right, but you know what I mean).

Will's Aunt Carol and Uncle Jack came over from Jerome to visit. They have been trying to get over but it's sometimes crazy around here, also working around dialysis days take away whole days. I will take Will to dialysis tomorrow and let Tom have some alone time. My mom is staying a few more days here until the Dr. releases her to go to her house. She's doing so much better and I want to thank everybody for the prayers and caring you have shown her. '

God bless

Jan. 30, 2009 Friday

Will got to go to the game after dialysis, and he was happy.

After the game, Will was keeping the crowd laughing.

He's always the entertainment.

Here's a few of the girls after the game. They won by quite a bit so they are happy,

but also they just were so excited to see their "coach"

Will enjoyed the game but it was so hard on him the same day as dialysis. I just wish I could get a good picture of what he looks like when he's back in the gym. I don't think it matters if he can't see the total game, he's just where he belongs. The game of basketball is everything to him. Everyone there makes him feel so welcome. The parents come up and make sure to say hi, the staff comes up and does the same, and then the girls, they really complete the feeling.
And, of course he gets to hang out with his best friend (me!!! just kidding)

Tomorrow is the off day for dialysis so he should be feeling goooood. They took almost 3.5 liters off. He had a busy day today but he went to bed with a smile on his face. Isn't that what life's all about??

GOD BLESS

Jan. 29, 2009 Thursday

Here is the birthday girl. She doesn't look that old, does she???

HERE'S OUR HAPPY FAMILY ON ANGEL'S BIRTHDAY.

Will had therapy today and he really got a work out. He still rode the bike tonight for ten minutes. Coach came over today and they had a good visit, over two hours I think. Tomorrow is dialysis and then he might just go to the game tomorrow night in Jerome because it's senior night and he coached these girls. I think he would really enjoy it and I know it's so good for him to be back in the gym for any reason.

I think Angel had a good time with the little bit of people who came for cake and ice cream. Will enjoyed the noise and the confusion which is the name of our house.

I''ll take more pictures.

GOD BLESS

jAN. 28, 2009 WEDNESDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANGEL

27 years ago, I held a perfect little girl in my arms and just knew I was the luckiest mom around. I still think that. Your dad and I wish you all the happiness in the world, Angel!

Now with that said, Will's day was good at all. He was over-the-top ready for dialysis. His oxygen has been running around 2-4 liters but today he needed 7 liters. That's just not good for him. He just feels lousy. But they were able to get off 4 liters and he's breathing so much better. So tonight and tomorrow he will be in good shape. We will keep working with his diet more. His phosphorous level is going down, which is a good thing. It means that we are doing something right.

We are looking forward to the birthday party. I know Angel is pretty excited about this birthday. She's got a wonderful husband and her brother is home. She's feeling good about life lately.

Also; we want to wish our niece, Maegan, a wonderful wonderful birthday. Meg-you deserve everything great because of who you are. You're a caring, beautiful young woman and we love you lots. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MAEGAN, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOU! Now pretend that Celine Dion is singing to you (because that's what my voice sounds like---no really, really- you can quit laughing now, it really does sound like that in my head). I will make a cake for Angel and everything.

God bless

Jan. 27, 2009 Tuesday

Wow, I woke up to a present this morning. A SNOW DAY!!! It was great, but speaking as a teacher, it is really tough to get all the lessons in that we need to during the year---so every snow day really crunches us. But all in all, it was still great. I was able to get a few more things unpacked.

Will had another first today, he went and got his hair cut! Chandra is at the Haven here in Hagerman and she had been cutting Will's hair before he went to Salt Lake. So he was pretty excited about getting back there. She gives great head rubs, maybe just to him, I don't know. That was probably the most relaxed he's been in a long time. He's planning a trip back really soon. Besides, she's so fun to be around. So he had a good time.

SEE THE SMILE ON HIS FACE

Then after that we went to talk to the diabetic specialist. She changed a few things around and we will try that for a week and see if it can help get his blood stable. She did help somewhat but the big thing is the renal (kidney) diet.

Our good friend Carol Ainsworth had dinner here right after we got back from the visit to the hospital. What great timing that was. The ribs were out of this world--sorry about bragging but, darn, they were really, really good.

My mother was here just as we got home. It was so great to see her out of the hospital and she's doing so much better. Just a little speech problem and that's all. She will be staying with us for a few days or a week or two, whatever it takes to get us able to know she will be okay by herself.

Tomorrow Will will have dialysis so he won't be feeling very good.

But tomorrow he needs to feel good because it's his sister's birthday on Wednesday. Yes, Angel turns 27, boy I sure hope she doesn't mind everyone knowing that. If she does, just pretend you don't know. Our niece, Magan, turns 27 also that day.

GOD BLESS THE BIRTHDAY GIRLS and God bless our friends and family

Jan. 26, 2009 Monday

It is so cold!!!! Can i just say that again? COLD!

I spent the weekend with my mom in the hospital and she should be able to come home Monday afternoon. My sweet sister-in-law is going to go get Mom and bring her to our house so I don't have to go back into Twin. We have that appt. to see the diabetic counselor right after school with Will so maybe we can have some answers about his diet. So Karen will bring Mom out and stay with her until we get home.

Today went quietly for Will. We didn't have any company except our neighbors, the Jayo's who
brought us a great dinner after I came home from the hospital, which came at a perfect time.
What great friends we have, I know I say that lots, but our friends deserve us saying it every five minutes, but then you all would be tired of hearing it.

God bless

Jan. 25. 2009 Sunday

It has been three weeks since we have had Will home. It has been so great. He's just getting better and better. He is getting around our home so well. Having dialysis every other day just seems to leave us with no time for anything extra. Will has rehab on the off days so he doesn't have much time to go anywhere else. It is still so cold that he can't really get outside much anyway. Will got almost 4 liters off today, they like to get lots off when he starts his long "haul" where it's three days in between dialysis. It's really tough on his body. He's handling everything so well.

My mom is doing better tonight. She did have a small stroke but there should be no lasting effects from it, except for scaring us to death. They are keeping her in the hospital for a few days for observation. Then she will come home to our house so we can watch her for a week or two. I thank God that it wasn't as bad as it could have been. It seems to have only affected her speech now. The doctors think that will come back in time. So again, we want to thank you for all your prayers. God is so awesome and He has blessed us over and over.

GOD BLESS

Will had some more company today. Another cousin, Shannon from Mountain Home and his great wife, Amanda, with their twin girls. Aren't they adorable?


It's lunch time at the Harbison household. They really know how to ham it up.

Notice in the background, it's our Christmas tree with presents and everything.

Randy (Coach) and Donna came by this afternoon to check on Will. He had a good, but very difficult physical therapy. He even had to do a wall sit. Will's going to be going to dialysis tomorrow. So it's looking like a good weekend.

My mom is needing a special prayer tonight because we had to put her in the hospital this afternoon. I spent the day with her and I will go back tomorrow morning while she takes some tests. I will let everyone know how she's doing.

GOD BLESS

Friday Jan 23, 2009

Will had some company tonight. Little Breanna, and her parents Mark and Mindy Comstock. Breanna was fascinated with Will and she just couldn't understand how come the cat wouldn't let her too near Will. Bella is still so possessive, do you notice how she's laying over Will's leg so he can't get up? Cats are so funny. We usually are a dog family, but this cat is something else.





Below: Will is trying to unwrap a candy cane that Breanna got off from our Christmas tree. He's not doing it fast enough for her though. I think she's down there telling Bella that Will needs to be faster.



BELOW: Here Breanna is trying to explain to Bella that she wants to come up and sit in the chair with Will, but she never did get to do that.


Already it's Friday. I don't know how much faster time can go, but it is speeding by. Will had dialysis today and they took a couple of liters off. Kim, our sweet neighbor, went with Tom to take Will to dialysis. She wanted to see how to do all that so if Tom can't make it someday, (like he's sick or needs to go ride his horse or something like that) then Kim can take Will. She's so thoughtful and she does have a big heart. Now she's all up to date on how and what to do with Will to get him to dialysis and home again.

We are so blessed and Will just keeps getting stronger and stronger. Tomorrow he works with the physical therapist, Kevin. He's been really working with Will to get his balance so he's not so wobbly. It's working.

GOD BLESS

Jan. 22, 2009 Thursday

Will did his workout with his physical therapist and then tonight he rode the bike for 12 minutes. His breathing was so much better than yesterday. Coach came over and then Carrie and Judy Osborne. Everything is going great and it's still so hard to believe he's home. Tom will take him to dialysis today. That's about it

God bless

Jan. 21, 2009 Wednesday

Will did his dialysis and then he came home not feeling well. After the long weekend without dialysis, he doesn't seem to feel well even after dialysis. But tomorrow he will be so much better. We are still in a quandary (yes, a fourth grade teacher can know some big words) about Will's diet and diabetes care. We have an appt. next Monday with a diabetes counselor and hopefully we can get it all worked out.

We have a new friend that comments on our blog, Marlene from North Carolina. She has touched our family with her words of support even though she has never met us. And as she has pointed out, I have been remiss in my "job" to encourage people to keep fighting to find a cure for CF. Any time, you can contact the CF office in your state by looking online. They can always use help and just getting the word out about the Cystic Fibrosis is great progress. I will look up some useful sites and post them on here real soon.


He still says what a great weekend it was for him to see everyone. I wrapped some gifts and put them under our Christmas tree. We just need to get Will a little stronger so he can really enjoy our celebration, although we did celebrate our savior's birthday on the 25th. For some strange reason, people in my house still want to exchange gifts, and I'm all for that too.

Can't let another teaching moment go by. My class invited our whole school 1st through 6th into our class to watch the oath of office. I wanted to get a picture but of course I forgot. Those kids were really into the proceedings. I loved watching their faces as they watched a very historical moment. I hope you all were able to watch this important event.

I pray for our new leader, President Obama, to lead this country towards peace and a new awakening of morality that has been missing for a while. Lord guide him in Your ways and protect him as he serves his country. Amen

God bless all of Will's readers and God bless the United States of America

(I know, a little corny, but appropriate)

Jan 20th Tuesday Inauguration Day

Here's some pictures of our weekend. This doesn't include everyone that came by. I wished it did and I'm sorry if I haven't got the pictures in the blog yet.

ABOVE: Here's Will's cousin, Brenda, who came down from Pocatello.

She's going to have a baby and we can't wait

ABOVE: Danny came up with AnneMarie, his girlfriend, although Will would argue that one. (Something about seeing her first )Remember: she was one of the respiratory therapists that worked on Will in intensive care.

Danny had ordered these shirts to wear for the super bowl, which we all thought the Cowboys would make it to. He even had the names put on it. Will looks good with it on.

BELOW: Here is Coby William trying out Will's new bed. Isn't he adorable?
BELOW: Here is some more people relatives trying out Will's bed. There's Angel, Billie, and Christi.

Here's Tia (Will's aunt from Nevada) and AnneMarie is rubbing Will's feet.

BELOW: Here's some more of the foot rubbing. I tried to tell her that we are finished with that once he got home but she thought he needed some TLC and he agreed.

BELOW: How about this for the cutest picture award?

This is Coby William and Will at the kitchen table.

BELOW: I asked Danny if he would keep Will company while he ate. This is how Danny does that.

So that's some pictures. Hope you enjoyed them. Will is looking better and better. Tomorrow is dialysis and today he had physical therapy. He did really well and worked up a sweat.

GOD BLESS

Here is the video from the game night.

(I had my neice, Billie, over today and she helped me set it up.

Now I hope I can put more on here.)

Will only thought he was going to be on the side line so he wasn't expecting the big welcome home from the whole crowd. You can see what a blubbering idiot I was, but I wasn't the only one.

Today was a busy day. We had Danny, AnnMarie, and her two kids, Tucker and Jaycee today. Then Billie and Christi, Will's two cousins came over with Billie's two kids. Then Candace was here but she went back to Boise around noon. His Aunt Karen came over and so did Tia and Uncle James. Lots and lots of company. Will loved it all and it wasn't quiet. Then Susan and Roger Laughlin dropped by bearing gifts (food for Will--and us too). What a great day. I am tired tonight so I will put some pictures on the blog tomorrow of all the company.

Also I don't have to go to school tomorrow because of Martin Luther King's Day. What a great man who did so much in such a short time. My kids will be able to study him on Tuesday after watching the oath of office in the morning. I love history and my students are beginning to love it too.

God bless

Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009

I thought I would share the newspaper story about Will from last night in the Times News.

Emotional victoryJerome girls exact revenge on Minico
By David BashoreTimes-News writer


Friday night's Great Basin Conference West girls basketball clash between Minico and Class 4A No. 1 Jerome was over the second Will Harbison set foot on the court minutes before the opening tip.After spending nearly 11 months in hospitals in Salt Lake City and Boise recovering from complications following a double-lung transplant to combat his cystic fibrosis, the former Jerome girls basketball coach received a heartfelt standing ovation from the Jerome and Minico players, coaches and fans as he took in his first game since coming home a couple of weeks ago.

Then his beloved Tigers, who didn't know he was going to be there, raced out to a 13-point first quarter lead en route to an emotional 51-26 throttling of the visiting Spartans.Jerome (13-3, 3-1 GBW) used pressure defense and transition baskets to forge an 18-5 lead in the opening period. It was eerily similar to the Tigers' 39-30 loss in Rupert earlier this season, when they took a 15-3 lead to start the game, but there was no collapse this time.Not with Harbison in the house, and not with revenge on the players' minds."This was redemption for us. Everyone was really excited for the game all week, and we knew we had to get them back," said sophomore guard Carrie Thibault, who scored a game-high 14 points. "It was really nice to see coach Will here supporting us. It really inspired us."

Baylie Smith added 13 points to help offset Minico's successful negation of Aubree Callen. The Spartans (7-8, 3-2) held Callen without a field goal and to just three points total.But the Jerome junior found another, just as effective, way to get involved as she pulled down five rebounds and dished out eight assists."She knows that when teams are (playing box-and-one against) her that she needs to get her teammates involved," Jerome head coach Brent Clark said of Callen. "She did a really good job of that, and she was strong on the defensive end.Jerome's defensive tenacity caused the Spartans to panic, Minico coach Joe D. Shepard said. The Tigers harried Minico into 27 turnovers in the game, compared to just 15 for the Tigers - six of those coming in garbage time in the fourth quarter.
____________________________________________________________

Will had dialysis today and he did okay. His cousin, Danny, Danny's girlfriend, AnnMarie, and her two kids were here tonight. They entertained Will all night. They are staying the night too.

I don't think Will has come down off from his "high" of last night. Just being on the gym floor was the best medicine. Now there won't be any stopping him. I know I still have the video to post to this blog but I just didn't have time today. So, so sorry.

God bless

Saturday Jan. 17, 2009

Here's the outing that we said Will might take.

He went to his first basketball game!

This was in Jerome with his girls team. Will was introduced and he got a standing ovation from the large crowd. His girls didn't know he was coming and so they were surprised. We didn't know until the last minute if he would be able to handle going to the gym. He did really well. Good news, he got shoes on, he hasn't had shoes on in 11 months-just those clog things.

It's just so hard to describe how Tom and I felt when he walked (yes, walked) out onto the court to wave to the crowd. Did we ever think that he would be on a gym floor again? Sometimes I doubted it, but then again we are talking about Will.

Now we won't be able to keep him home. Fantastic!

I do have it on a video and I will play with it tomorrow and get it up on here.

They even made signs for the crowd to hold up to welcome him back.

Above---this is where they sat Will. Coach is with him on the right and the athletic director and friend, Ty Jones, is on the left. You can tell that everyone had him fixed up comfortably. We were able to see so many people that we haven't seen in months and months. They were all surprised and excited to see Will back in the gym. Angel, Aaron and Candace were there also so we had the whole family. Angel let Will know who was coming up to talk to him so that was a big help.

Dr. Cahill-How about this, pretty cool huh???

I think you should be able to see the special glasses that Will has on. He does have a small part of his right eye left and this monocular helps to bring the outline and shadow a little clearer. We have an appt. with a vision expert on the 9th of Feb. to see if there is some other kind of glasses he can use, maybe to even bring it into focus more. Wouldn't that be a little miracle?

Above:
Jenn, Curtis and our little Cali came down for the afternoon. They were able to go to the game with us and I think they were very touched. Tom really thinks he's so mature doesn't he?

Below:
Cali, Will and Candice were hamming it up for the camera. This is the first weekend that Candace has been here that Tom and I have been home and Will of course. (It's so wonderful not to have to go somewhere on the weekend. No trips to Boise or Salt Lake.)



Saturday Will's cousin, Danny and AnneMarie with her two kids, are coming down to spend the night and make sure that we are taking care of Will. It should be a lot of fun. They will be here when we get back from dialysis.

As you can imagine it has been a big, big day in the Harbison household. I still can't believe that he went to a game. Oh, happy day.

God bless and thank everyone at the gym for making Will feel so loved. Well, thank everyone on this blog for making Will feel loved.

Yea, it's Friday Jan. 16th

Will hasn't been feeling that great today. He has some major aches and pains (and for all you funny, funny people out there---no they aren't called Tom). He's feeling a little bit better right now when he went to bed. Dialysis was slept through and they took 2 1/2 liters off. But he feels a little better tonight and tomorrow will be a good day. He should have a great day because he will be sleeping on his special bed tonight. He said it feels so good.

We have guests coming up and seeing Will this weekend (different ones every day)so we should have some great pictures. We might even get Will to go out on a little outing. We'll see. By the way, yes I am still staring at him not really believing he's home. It won't ever get old, I don't think.

Pam, happy, happy birthday but I guess by the time you read this it will be a day late. I hope you had a great day.

God bless

Thursday

Today was better than yesterday but tomorrow will be a great day even though Will had dialysis. His new bed is being delivered in the morning. He will sleep good Thursday night.

Will did work out today. He did five laps up and down the hall, then he rode the bike. His arm feels better every day. He will need those stitches taken out soon. He has about 8 in the crook of his left arm and about 12 under his armpit. Ouch. Coach and his dad, Sylvan, came by for a good visit. Then tonight a good friend, Sid Gamble, came over and visited a long time. He didn't bring his great kids but I will forgive him just this once. It was so great to see Will interacting with people again over normal, everyday stuff.

I went over to visit my mom in Jerome tonight. She's doing better and her shoulder is getting stronger and stronger. She even made some homemade soup for Will-his favorite, Potato soup. Grandma Sokoff makes the best. He had a good-sized bowl of it for dinner tonight. Yummy!

God bless

Wed. Jan 14, 2009

Merry Christmas from the Harbisons and the Beutlers

No we still haven't had our Christmas yet. I still haven't had a chance to shop and the reason is that reports cards were due this week. I won't even go into how far behind I was because of our little stay in Salt Lake City. But they are completed now and I will have time to shop. Watch out, here I come. We still don't know when we will celebrate Christmas but it will be soon.

This picture is of our family tradition of putting the angel on the tree. Will and Angel have put it up there for all their lives and now Aaron is rightfully right along side of them since he's our new family member (his first Christmas with the Harbisons' traditions). I don't know which one put angel on crooked but it's up there.

Will wasn't feeling too well since dialysis was today but he wanted to get the angel on. You can kind of tell by the picture that he wasn't feeling well. They were able to pull 2 1/2 liters of fluid off. We did talk to them about the little bit of fluid they allow him to drink. Will didn't think that was fair. He understands they have to take away the Pepsi, but only allowing him 8 oz.to drink in a day was a little harsh. So we do have that fixed now. He can have about 6 cups a day. Good compromise so maybe that is his Christmas gift (just kidding) but Will still won't give me an idea of what he would like Santa to bring him.

Wednesday will be a good day. Hopefully he will get in a full routine of exercises and he can just relax. We had a wonderful, super, fantastic meal brought over by my Aunt Gloria and Uncle Bill. They even remembered the olives. Thanks for the food!

God bless

Jan 13, 2009 Tuesday

Will is doing so much better. He had physical therapy today and Kevin (PT) just couldn't believe the strides Will is making. He's walking so much more steady and for longer periods of time. He gave him some exercises to strengthen his core muscles and so we will work with him on those. He's enjoying just hanging out with Angel and Aaron and sitting in his recliner with his cat. I just enjoy watching him do all that.

It looks like most of the snow has melted in the last two days. So that probably means more snow soon. Heaven knows we need it.

I don't have much to write about today, it's harder when I'm not with him. Tomorrow he goes in to dialysis and we should get more information on his diet. We need clarification on the dialysis diet with a diabetes diet. His blood sugars are still so crazy. If anyone has any good ideas, just let us know. We do have a nutritionist at the dialysis clinic so we should get lots of help there.

God bless

Monday Jan. 12, 2009

Here is another week starting. Boy, the time is speeding by.

We didn't get much company this weekend. I thought we would have lots but then maybe everybody thought that and they stayed away for that reason. Also it could be because we go to dialysis on Saturday and that pretty much takes up the whole day. Maybe people are staying away because it's the cold season and we really appreciate that. He can't catch anything right now, it wouldn't be good.

It's now been one week that Will has been home and already he's made huge, huge progress. He's standing by himself and walking back to his room by himself. He's putting on his own shirt and pretty much running the household. How's that for a week's worth of work?

Will did a little exercise this morning and then he took a very long nap. His blood sugar has been going all over the place. When he went to sleep it was over 400 so we gave him some insulin, then when he awoke it was 57. I know that takes a toll on his body. Brent and Stacee came over tonight to catch Will up on his girls' team. He sure enjoys visiting "basketball" The nurse and then the RT will be coming on Monday to work him out.

Well, I got to go back to my church for service this morning and all I can say is it felt so fantastic! I missed everyone so much and then it was like I never left. I pray that all of you have a church that makes you feel so ----- At home and loved, I guess.

God bless and have a great week

Jan. 11, 2009 Sunday

Will had dialysis and they were only able to take a couple of liters of fluid off. We did finally get to meet the kidney doctor and he seems to know what he's doing. The only thing that worries me is that he is the only kidney doctor in the Magic Valley. He's spread very thin.

After dialysis Will decided he needed to buy a bed. Well, he knew he needed one for awhile but he decided to get it today. So that's what we did. Right on the corner of his dialysis center is Everton Mattress store and they were having a huge sale with 12 months same as cash. Will walked into the store, oh, yes he did!!! He tried out a few beds and he found the best one. That really would have made a great picture but again I forgot the camera. He was so exhausted when he was done but what a great milestone. Shopping!!!

Another great milestone is coming tomorrow but it is really for me. I get to go to my church tomorrow morning. It's been over a year since I have been in any church and over a year and a half since I have been in mine. I am so excited, I really missed it so much. Oh, happy day (Yes, now I am singing that song and probably made you sing it too).

God is so good to us. God bless

Saturday Jan 10, 2009

Our first dinner in our home all together again.

Just look at Will sitting at the table-Wow

Below is the exercising guru. Will looks bored, but he's really tired and taking a break.

I'm surprised the cat isn't in this picture. She hardly ever leaves Will alone.

Will had a good day, probably the best he's had since he's been home. Kevin, the PT, came out and set him up with a regimen of exercises he can do himself when Kevin isn't here. Until he gets his balance improved, he can't walk on the treadmill. The rate Will is going, it won't be long though. His arm still is giving him fits and it's all black and blue but at least I can touch it lightly and he doesn't go through the roof.

He was able to eat three meals today. He's getting his appetite back very quickly. I can't wait until we can pull that tube feed out. Last night it got clogged up and it took almost two hours to get it flowing again. You know how I did it? (the nurses shared this with me) I push Coke down the tube and let it set there for about 20 minutes (last night it took longer to work). It works the clog out, now doesn't that scare you a little bit if you're a coke drinker?

Coach and Donna came over tonight and caught Will up on all the teams' wins and losses. Then after they left, the Celtics played (just not very good) and Will watched the game. So once again Will's team is letting him down (remember the Dallas Cowboys ). Don't they know that Will is still recuperating and needs these wins to help?

Will did get a nice surprise tonight. His good, good friend, Katie (Martin) Lardy and Bella Rose, her brand new baby, called Will and visited with him for a while. Then we put the speaker phone on and we all got to listen to the baby make noises. How fun was that???

Tomorrow, Will and I will go in to dialysis around noon and I will maybe start some of my Christmas shopping while he's in there. Reminder: we're not having our Christmas until Will is a little stronger and our family can come down and spend it with us. I can't wait, so my tree stays up until then.

All day long I have been reminded over and over again how lucky (blessed is a better word) we are. I have had different women offering to help take care of us and people are wanting to help with all that we need to do. How touched I am and my heart is just as full as it can get with love for you all. Thank you just doesn't cut it.

God bless

Friday Jan. 9

Will did so much better this trip to dialysis than the trip on Tuesday. He didn't get as sick and he wasn't as weak. Although it stills takes everything out of him, by later in the evening he picks up. Today he rode the stationary bike we have and I took a picture so you all could see, but, alas (I don't think I have ever used that word before), I can't find my cord. I think it's in the bedroom and I don't think Tom would appreciate me waking him up so I can put on a picture.

We are getting into the schedule more and more. It still scares us when we're not quite sure how to figure out his insulin and tube feeds and everything. We are getting there. Aaron has learned how to give Will all his medicines so when Tom got home about 5:00 from taking Will to dialysis, Aaron had all his meds ready to go. It was so nice for Tom not to have to worry about it. I was still at work trying to get caught up--not gonna happen though. The PT, Kevin, will be here at 11:00 in the morning.

We are still being blessed by our sweet ladies from the church bringing us our meals, and they are fantastic! I don't know how I would have done this week if I would have needed to make dinner too. I am still trying to get everything organized and put away. Thank you wonderful people.

God bless

Jan. 8. 2009 Thursday

Will met with his home health nurse who will be keeping an eye on him while he's at home. Allen (the nurse's name) was very, very nice and really checked Will out. Will's physical therapist came and met with Will around noon and stayed for a couple of hours. Coach and Kim were over here with Will and so they checked everything out and thought that Kevin (his PT) was very, very good at what he does. He will be back on Friday to get him going. Will has dialysis tomorrow and he's just doing better all the time.

Kim (our next door neighbor and good friend) was over tonight sharing her notes that she took for me when the nurse was here today. She and Will started kidding around like they use to. It was really good to see Will getting his sense of humor back a little. He's still so sore from his surgery that it's tough to do much with his arm.

We did get him out of the house today. (I know that's a minor miracle in itself) I told everyone a few days ago that Jim Henslee passed away. He was our good friend and neighbor for many years. Anyway, Will loves that whole family and he wanted to show his respect for them so he went to the viewing. He wasn't able to walk all the way in but he made it to a couch right inside the church. All the family came out and see him, even Jim's wife, Kathy. It's so sad and Hagerman will never, ever be the same without Jim running around volunteering for something all the time.

We had quite a few calls from our friends/ nurses to my phone. I finally got a phone last night so I listened to all the messages. Thank you, thank you all for the sweet words. Will will call you back at the hospital in Boise as soon as he can. He does miss you all. Our U of U "people" are still calling, congratulating him on being home. People are so wonderful to Will. Thank you again

God bless

Jan. 7, 2009 Wednesday

What a long, long day. After I got back from a couple hours at school, Tom had Will almost all ready to get going to dialysis. We were worried about the roads but they were all good. We got him into the facility, Idaho Dialysis Center, and Will was so sick. Even though we gave him something for motion sickness it didn't help much. This was a lot of moving from somebody that hasn't been moving much in the last 10 1/2 months. The ride was almost too much for him. But it had good results. They were able to get 10 pounds of fluid off from him. He's breathing better and his itching is gone. He does have to monitor what fluids he takes in, they have limited him to 1 cup. That's not even enough to take his pills. I don't know how Will's going to handle that.

We met the people there and talked to the doctor. We will meet with the big kidney doctor on Thursday. Will will go in on Tues., Thurs., and Saturday and if another day is needed they will let us know. Tom will take him on Tues and Thurs and then I will take him on Saturday. I won't be able to take too much more time off, I think I'm pushing my limit now. But, to be honest, I have been so blessed to work for a place that has let me take off the time that I need to be with Will. Bliss School District is the best!

The place is going to start helping us with Will's diet. We are kind of lost there and Will is really starting to eat now. We need to know what not to give him and what would be good for him. Eventually he wants off the feeding tube. We talked with the people there and they wanted to know all about Will and his history. I wanted to tell them just to pull up Will's blog and start reading but they probably don't have that much time.

Since Will wasn't feeling well today at all, he didn't want me to take any pictures. I'm sorry but I tried. So tomorrow I will take some. He is going to have the home health nurse and the physical therapist here working things out. Coach wants to come over when the PT comes so he can help Will with that. He's going to get out his whistle and everything (just kidding). He will be feeling so much better after dialysis and a good night sleep.

GOD BLESS

FIRST COMPLETE DAY AT HOME (SNOW DAY)

Here is Will just visiting with two of his favorite people, Coach and his brother, Brent. He really loves the recliners.
Above is Will eating his second bowl of some real good potatoes with roast that our good friends the Jesters brought over. Notice who can't take her eyes off from Will. Bella is so happy to have him home (not as happy as his family though) His appetite is really coming back quickly. We are keeping him off the tube feed for most of the day and then running it at night. The food is starting to taste better to him. He's going to start bulking up real soon.

Tomorrow Will goes to dialysis for the first time in Twin Falls. I will take the day off so Tom and I can both go there and meet everyone. I'm sure they will have a bunch of questions for Will also. This is a brand new facility and I will have pictures up for people to see. His home health nurse and physical therapist are coming over on Wednesday because the roads were so bad today and tomorrow we will be at dialysis. That will be nice to meet these new people. While Will is doing dialysis we will do a few errands and go to get me a new phone, thank heavens. I am so lost without my own phone.

So I was the first one at school this morning and the roads were so awful. Another teacher drove up right after me and told me he just got a call and the school needed to call a snow day because our buses were stuck in the terrible drifts. Well no one got the call until late so we had kids showing up (we sent them right back home) and other teachers. We all decided not to try the roads to go back home until it was daylight and the road crews had a chance to clean them up. . So I got to spend a few hours in my classroom. I'm sure the kids are going to be a little wild tomorrow. I will go in for a few hours to try to get them back in the swing of things, besides I miss them like crazy.

Will's throat is still sore when he talks a lot so tonight when he had company he didn't talk much but everyone understands. Christi, Will says he will talk to you tomorrow, he promises. He was tired. So I'm still thinking that I'm dreaming and any minute now someone will come along and wake me up and Will won't be sleeping in his own bed. It was so wonderful to have all five of us in our house at the same time. I am still on cloud nine and so is Will.

GOD BLESS

We are home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To quote a very special man, Martin Luther King,
"Thank God, we're free at last!!!

This banner was waiting for Will, made by Coach's wife, Donna. She had some great
pictures on it and there is even one of an artichoke, which is Will's favorite food.

We didn't make it home until 10:15 tonight. We finally got out of the hospital at 6:30 p.m. Remember I told you it would be hospital time. I woke up this morning and I knew what kind of day we might have so I prayed for some extra patience. About 2;30 I had to bow my head and ask for some more patience because I don't think God gave me enough this morning. It was just one mess after another. But it's all good now and we are home. I forgot to mention that my phone is fried, so if any of you have been trying to call me, try Will's phone. I will be going into Twin soon and getting another one.

Here is Will sitting in his favorite recliner with his favorite animal, Bella. For the first hour he couldn't quit smiling.


Here is Will all chillin' out with his sister. Notice the cat holding onto Will's leg. We had some great people waiting up for us. Coach and Donna, Brent and Stacee, Kim, and of course, Angel and Aaron. Then a few minutes later his Aunt Karen came out because she picked up Will's pump and supplies for his tube feed. Thanks again, Karen.




Here is Will eating a bowl of cereal with me.(notice the cat again, she wouldn't leave Will) Well, I was eating some great homemade chicken soup made by Donna. We have some great friends, some of our good friends, Carrie, Judy and Donna, (and Angel too) came over this morning and did a great job of cleaning up before we brought Will home. It has been a year and half since he has seen his room so it felt strange at first but he's sleeping now. Is still think he's smiling

It's 2:45 already and I've just got about everything ready for tomorrow, all his meds, his schedule and his feedings. So things are a little organized. It took us forever to get everything out of the car. I am going to school but I will probably take Tuesday off so we can both take Will the first time he has to go to dialysis in Twin Falls. I will have some more pictures for you tomorrow. It was kind of scary and sad leaving the hospital. 10 1/2 months somebody else has been helping take care of Will. Now it's our turn, plus it's hard leaving all our friends in the hospital. There were a few tears shed on both sides.

I know I have been happy like this before, but I really can't remember when. When Tom and I were standing over Will's bed right after surgery praying for him to wake up, talking to him constantly, we promised if he woke and he was ready to fight that he wouldn't have to go it alone. We would be with him every step of the way. I know how lucky we are that we were given the chance, really the blessing, to fulfill that promise to him. We also know that Will's journey is far from being over. His new life is before him and we have no idea where that will lead Will. He will have challenges but knowing the inner strength that Will is known for, he's ready for what ever door God is opening up. WHERE THERE'S A WILL, THERE'S A WAY.

THANK YOU, GOD, FOR ALLOWING US TO BRING WILL BACK HOME AGAIN. AMEN!

I do have a very special prayer request tonight. Our really good, good friend who we lived next door to us for 20 years passed away last night very unexpectedly. Jim Henslee was one of the best people we know and we loved him very much. He leaves behind a very large family and they are hurting right now. Please pray for comfort for them. He's going to be missed by the whole town. Thank you so much.

January 4th OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!!!

It's our independence day!!! For real.

WE'RE GOING HOME

Will got his trach out this afternoon and we started making plans on going home. Everyone knows how much Will wants to get home so they are getting things done. We are leaving about noon on Sunday. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!! That's us yelling.




This is Dr. Cahill at the foot of the bed telling Jesse, the RT, to pull out his trach. Big moment and I did have my camera ready but I can't put the actual pulling out the trach on the blog. Some things are better left to the imagination. The room was full with people waiting to see how he did. There was no problem with his breathing or swallowing.


You can not believe how much has to be done to get this guy home but I think we have done it all except pick up the meds in the morning and the oxygen is being delivered. Still there is probably no way that Will nor I will be sleeping tonight. Somebody needs to pinch us. I keep putting my hand in front of his face so I can feel his warm breath for my own self. I feels wonderful but Will is getting a little tired of me doing that. I guess I will wait for him to go to sleep before I do it again.

THIS IS WILL EATING A PERSONAL PAN SIZE PIZZA

HE ATE THE WHOLE THING!!

We have had so many visitors/friends/employees coming up today and tonight to say goodbye. Everyone wanted to hear Will's voice but he couldn't talk a lot because his vocal chords haven't been used for 8 months. They are a little rusty but already they are getting better. Here are some of the many, many people who came to say goodbye. We didn't take pictures of everyone.



Above is Karen, our sweet aide in the night. Below is John, our RT from MICU that has come up and visited often.




Below is Tora, one of our many night nurses. They are all there to hear his sweet voice. They have never heard it before.

Danny and AnnMarie came came by and took a walk around with Will and no trach. We have it on the video camera but still I don't know how to do it yet. I will though real soon, I promise.
So the next time I write this blog tomorrow night, I will be sharing pictures of Will in his house after 1 1/2 years of being away from it. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT! That's me yelling again.

Please pray for us and Will's move back home. We will need it, but it's going to be great.
Our God is sooooooooooooooooooo awesome. With Him all things are possible and we have proven it. Thank you all so much for your prayers and for a few days I will be still doing nightly blogs. Then I will probably just blog once or twice a week.

God bless you all and God bless the drs., nurses, RT's, and all the caregivers that have brought Will to where he is today. We're going home, we're going home, we're going home.

Jan. 3, 2009 Saturday

Will's had a busy day but nothing exceptional. He did have to have another blood transfusion but that's probably because of the surgeries and losing some blood. So they gave him some today and then he will get another unit tomorrow while he's having dialysis. They did let him sleep in this morning because he's had a few bad nights in a row. Sleep is good for Will (and for us all, right?). His pain is still there but it's getting better. He wasn't able to take a walk today because of the transfusion.

I want to take some pictures of some of the people here but Will doesn't think he wants his picture on the blog right now because he's not looking so great. I think he looks wonderful, but I will abide by his wishes. Hope everyone is enjoying the cold winter that has finally hit.

God bless

Jan. 2, 2009 Friday

Friday will be a good day, I feel it. Maybe we will have some good news today. Will had dialysis very early again today. Then he just kind of laid low because his arm is still so sore. They have to be careful with his breathing so he can't have so much of the "good" pain killers. We did get him to walk a little bit but not much. He ate half a pancake and it stayed down. So his stomach is getting better and better.

Angel and Aaron have Candace for the week and they have been calling Uncle Will and letting him know that they have been playing in the snow, riding the sleds, and then just enjoying our new fireplace. They went to our church's New Year's Eve celebration and said it was so much fun. They took lots of pictures so I can see them later.

2009---it's so hard to believe.

God bless

HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL 2009

Will got his surgery and things look good. Instead of 7:30 they came and took him at 10:00 (you know the hospital time). The surgery took about five hours but things went well. He didn't have to stay on the vent after he woke up so that was terrific. He looks like he's been beat up with a 2 x 4. I took pictures of all his bruises and punctures. He's in so much pain that he wouldn't be able to remember what he looked like so I took the pictures to show him later. Right now, they can't seem to stay on top of the pain. I hope he will be able to sleep soon because he really didn't sleep last night because of the pain from his other procedure.





We were going through dressing changes when the new year came upon us so we just told each other happy new year. For some reason Will didn't reply. I know he feels this year will be so much better but really, last year was one that was filled with miracles after miracles. I know we, as a family, definitely grew in our walk with Jesus and our whole family knows who has control of what is happening. All we have to do is believe that with God all things are possible. We have had many lessons on this. I want to be as anxious to praise God as I am to petition Him with all of our prayers for Will.



Will wants me to make sure that I put on his blog that he wishes everyone a happy new year. He's going to be home soon and we will have a great year with many new adventures but I thinks he's tired of the hospital adventure.

We love our family and friends and want God to pour many blessings on them all for a happy and prosperous new year.