November visit to San Antonio, TX

I flew in to San Antonio on Nov. 1st.  Jake and Noa picked me up at the

 airport and took me to their new home.  It is a nice place with a fun

 back yard.  I liked the feeling immediately. I especially enjoyed having

 Rorie come home from school.  I feel drawn to that little girl for some

 reason.  She delights me! Malea and Colton joined us later for an early 

birthday celebration for Meghan.  It turned out to be a lovely evening. 

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I slept at Malea and Colton's that night.  We left early on Nov.2nd  (5:00 a.m.) to check in for surgery.  I was amazed at the peace Malea seemed to feel.  It was certainly what we had fasted and prayed for.  She was so brave and cheerful.  It was hard to leave her just as they were taking her back.  Being a small part of Mom’s two open heart surgeries made the seriousness and risks of the surgery very real to me.  I have had to work through the fact that Malea is at a very different stage or life and has so many fewer other health risks that this would be very different for her.  What was predicted to be a 4-5 surgery turned into a 9 hour surgery.  After five hours, both Colton and I grew anxious almost at the same moment.  The standard texts from the OR letting us know the surgery was still in progress offered little comfort, so Colton asked the receptionist to contact the OR for an update.  We learned that a new 23 cc valve had been put in very successfully, but when doctors tried to take Malea off the heart machine, the ventricle of her heart had failed to start back up.  Upon closer inspection, they determined that she did need to have the Aeortic Root or ascending aeorta replaced. So they put her back on the heart by-pass machine, chilled her body, removed the valve, replaced the root, replaced the valve and took her off the machine.  Her heart picked up like “a champ”, but she had been on the machine for about 5 ½ hours, so we knew recovery to be slower.  That night Colton and I went back to their house to sleep.  We were told that Malea would be sedated all night because of her breathing tube and the length of the surgery.

When we returned the next morning, Malea was very alert.  The breathing tube was still in, and it had been a very rough night for her.  That fact pained my heart because we had been assured that she would be asleep all night so we went back to the apartment.  Gratefully, Matt Hermanson, Karrie’s brother-in-law, had noticed her name on the schedule and came to check on her when he went on shift.  We did not know he worked there.  He sat with her and held her hand for a verily long time and got the sedation dose increased to make her more comfortable.  That was one of many tender mercies during this ordeal.  Our presence made Malea emotional and more anxious.  She was so desperate to have to tube out.  Gratefully it was removed within 30 minutes.  She actually looked amazingly well.  At each milestone of recovery, I had flashbacks of Mom and as sick, weak, and fragile as Malea was, she was much, much better than Mom.  I discovered however, that as tenderly as I felt about Mom being in that condition, it was harder to see Malea is such agony.  She described it as feeling like she had been run over by a truck, twice!  Following are some texts that highlight her progress over the next few days.

Nov. 3: “Malea is enjoying ice like it was cheesecake.. She is able to talk, but it takes great effort and it only a whisper.  She is doing great for where she is in recovery, and although she is groggy, she still has her Malea Mary sunshine smile.”

“This afternoon, things are as good as expected, but she has had some rough bumps along the way.  Doctors are thinking she needs a little blood to boost her.  We are waiting for labs to come back.”

“Labs are in, and they results are borderline, so they are taking things slow while waiting for the surgeon to make the final decision.”

“The surgeon came in and ordered a unit of blood.  They are hooking her up now.  I am praying that it works.”

“Jake and I both offered to give the blood, but they said it takes too long to process it for donation.  They just used what was on hand.  Jake is coming to help Colton give her another blessing.” 

“The transfusion is complete.  She has had another blessing.  They are getting ready to get her sitting up in a chair for a while.  Her blood pressure is more stable now.  She actually feels a little bit hungry now.”

“Malea has been sitting for a while now and says it is better that way.  Sadly, she has been nauseated and threw up so there was no yummy dinner for her, just more clear liquids and ice chips.  DAY ONE
IS DOWN!

P.S.  Malea say up for over 4 hours and did really well.  She is having a warm sponge bath and then hitting the sack.  She and I are having a sleep over tonight and planning on a good day tomorrow.  We are hopeful that she will get out of ICU soon.

Nov. 4: “ Malea had a much better night.  She is off all meds but pain meds.  Her kidneys have stepped up nicely and she is back sitting in her chair.  We are anticipation getting out of ICU today. “

“Malea is still on clear liquids, mostly ice chips and chicken broth.  The pain meds are making her nauseated, so they have discontinued the morphine for now and are trying something new. She went for a short walk this morning, but it was shaky at best. Her goal is 4 walks today and she does her breathing exercises every hour or so.”

“We are still in ICU because there are no rooms available elsewhere.  Her bladder is struggling since the catheter was removed, and her stomach isn’t doing great either.  Both could use some prayers.  Her bladder is not emptying as it should. She doesn’t have much of an appetite, but she is gaining strength and she tries to do whatever they ask her too even if it is very painful. They plan to let her sleep more tonight.  DAY TWO IS DOWN! (Colton stayed the night)

Nov. 5:  Malea was moved into a new room about 9:00 p.m. last night.  The night in the new bed wasn’t as good as hoped.  Malea is sleeping now and her bladder has picked up a little bit.  It is quieter over here.  Today the chest drain and wires should come out.” (I went to Rorie’s baptism that morning and had lunch with their family.  The drain tube and wires were removed while I was gone. Lillie Hermanson stopped by with flowers and a bag a goodies and gifts. ) 

“Malea was able to have some cottage cheese and a ½ of a toasted bagel with cream cheese.  She said they tasted so good. “

“ Meghan , Rorie and Noa came to visit today following Rorie's baptism.   Malea’s bishop and his wife stopped by that afternoon, too.  The chest tube is out! The chest wires are out! Dr. Carpenter yanked them out while I was gone.  Hearing Colton talk about it made me glad I missed it. Malea enjoyed a long shower!  Her bladder is working much better, but her appetite is still sluggish.  Here energy is picking up and we may get to go home tomorrow.  I plan to stay the night with her tonight. DAY THREE WAS A GREAT DAY.

Nov. 6: “Malea’s night was a bit rough, but just a change in nurse has helped a lot.  The light of day brings something comforting with it as well.  Malea has been a brave trooper and has already hurdled the toughest mountains, but she still has some to climb.  We are confident she will be home by nighttime and I will have no problem leaving her in Colton’s care.  It has been a privilege to watch his optimism, patience, tenderness and love. “

“Dr. Carpenter just left.  Discharge orders are underway.  The next text will be from home. “

“Malea is home! “

NOTE: We got her home just after noon.  It is hard to describe how much better it was. Even though she wasn’t able to lay flat and had to sleep in the recliner, it was clear from the start that she would going to be OK.  Prayers have been answered and priesthood blessings honored.  What has taken place is in many ways a modern day miracle and the brightness of hope this sheds on the future warms my heart.

Nov. 7: I flew home today.  Jake took me to the airport and Andrea picked me up in SLC.  I had a long lay-over in Denver, so it was a long day and it felt so good to be home.

Rorie Elizabeth Kenison’s Baptism Day: November 5, 2016

I was blessed to be in San Antonio, Texas for Rorie’s baptism day.  Malea was in the University Hospital recovering from open heart surgery.  It was a spot of sunshine in an intense week to be able to go with Jake and Meghan’s family for a few hours.

The grandfather of the other child baptized that day shared an analogy that was so insightful.  He said that he was assigned to study the owl population in an area in Alaska.  He spent many nights learning to hear the call of the different species with an expert in that field.  At first he was frustrated because his trainer would say, “There is the call of a Boreal Owl? Did you hear it?”  Hour after hour his answer was the same, “No, I didn’t.”  As he made greater effort and didn’t give up, he soon learned to hear and distinguish the call of the different owls, and was able to complete his assignment.  After returning home, he was in the house with the window open when he suddenly heard the sound of a rarer species of owl.  In excitement he asked his wife, “Did you hear that?”  Of course she had not.  It then occurred to him that he had traveled far to discover what existed in his own back yard! But until he had trained his ear to hear the soft sound of an owl at night, he had missed the wonder of it all.

He then said that learning to hear the voice of the Spirit is like his quest to learn the different calls of owls.  It takes specific, diligent effort.  It takes time.  But, as we practice, we will learn to hear the still, small voice of the Spirit no matter where we are and the sound of His voice will bring us joy, peace, and direction.  Then we can help others learn to hear His voice. 

The Confirmation:  Rorie was baptized and confirmed by her dad, Jacob D. Kenison.  There wasn’t the usual BIG circle of uncles and grandfathers, but the same power and sweet Spirit was there.   It was a small circle filled in by the priesthood leadership in the area: Bishop Andrews, Brother Callen, and Brother Matthews.

By the power of the Melchizedek Priesthood Rorie was told to “receive the Holy Ghost.”  She was admonished to remember the analogy of the owls as she learns to listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost.  She was assured that He usually speaks in a still voice. She was reminded that she knows what is right and what is wrong and counseled to always remember that. She was promised that if she will listen for the Holy Ghost, He will guide and direct her whether at home, at school, or at play.  As she learns to listen and then follow the voice of the Spirit, He will guide her through life and lead her back to live with Heavenly Father someday. 

(P.S.  Rorie was wearing her golden shoes,  so we celebrated at the Golden Corral afterwards.  It was a beautiful day!)