As I'm writing this my youngest son is still nursing the "barf bowl" by the TV.
Having everyone home again will be nice. Jason loves it. He says it gets "too noisy" and that he just likes spending time with just me (he's a good son :)), but I know he loves having them here.
I noticed on our blog that we haven't really updated everyone on Jason's health. LeAnne is the usual writer of our blog and I saw that she has a couple of drafts she's working on, she's been incredibly busy with her new job and is dating a really nice young man. So her time for writing is very limited. I am very happy for her. She is always trying to better herself, (she gets that from her Dad), and even though she has a bachelors degree, she's decided to take on nursing school to become an LPN. She will be great at this. She loves to help others and seems to find it very rewarding working in the medical field.
So, I will update you all on what's new with Jason. :)
At the end of April, Jason underwent a colonoscopy in which the doctor found and removed two very large polyps. As we waited the two weeks for results, we made an impromptu trip to California to see my Grandma and we also squeezed in a few days at Disneyland. (It was an early Mother's Day present, surprise for me from Jason and LeAnne. I'm a pretty lucky Mom I tell ya!) When we got home, we were happy to find out that there was NO cancer in his colon. I was SO very relieved to get this news it almost overshadowed my going to Disneyland! (What? Impossible!? :))
After this good news, we continued working on Jason's physical therapy. Trying to eat more throughout the day and still using the feeding tube. Jason's doctor is hoping that the increase he made in Jason's pancreatic enzymes will continue to help him and that there is a possibility that Jason might be able to be 'tube free' after the 4th of July! Talk about a great 'Independence Day'.
His feeding tube still clogs on me, but I was given a nifty little wire to use to help unclog it when it does by the doctor that put the tube in. I still keep it flushed regularly and do so during the night since that's when his feedings are. The tube has been giving Jason some problems with acid reflux issues because the tube keeps that valve open. But the nausea and pain he had been living with is all but gone.
Jason also hit and passed the big 100 lb. mark!
He is now 5'5" and weighs a whopping 104lb!! Just like with dieting when you are trying to lose weight you hit a plateau, you do the same when trying to gain weight. When he hit 100 lb, it seemed like that scale would never move. I would love for him not to have to rely on the feeding tube anymore, but I still worry that his body won't be able to maintain the calories and nutrition he needs without it. Thankfully, our doctor worries along with me so that's a good sign.
Today Jason had the opportunity to speak at the Heritage Ward at the Charleston in Sacrament meeting. I was so super worried for him. This past year or so we've watched and saw a steady decline in his cognitive abilities. This would be his first time speaking in a public setting like this in almost 8 years.
Before we left to go, Jason commented to me that "You worry too much". Hmmm, you might be on to something!! Needless to say he gave an wonderful 5 min talk on Enduring our trials.
Jason has been riding a bit of a 'high' this week. One of my good friends helped to organize and get players from BYU's Divine Comedy to put on a benefit concert for Jason. It was last night at Jason's old high school. Jason was both nervous and excited for this event. Before we went over to the concert, Jason told his Dad and I how he wished that he was part of the group that was helping someone, rather than being the one being helped. He has never felt comfortable having the spotlight on himself. When he went through cancer at ten years old, this was a big part of the 'hard' things that he and our family dealt with, and why we had such a hard time reaching out to very many people for help.
Jason and Aaron and I have dealt with different feelings over letting people help us. I won't speak for them on their feelings, but I feel the same as they do that it is SO hard to ask others for help. It's even harder when you ask and then are told no. But that is a topic for another day. :)
Before the benefit I stood to say a few words of "Thanks" to all of the friends and neighbors that had come. I was shocked to see so many! I was told later that there were over 400 people that came last night. I don't remember everything I said, because I was so overcome with the emotions of seeing so many people there. It was very humbling. I remember trying to express my appreciation, but I'm sure my words did not convey how much seeing everyone meant to me.
I told all of our friends how before Jason had been in the hospital my bishop had asked if I wanted a blessing. I said yes of course, and he gave me a blessing that I think of often. Part of what he said to me was that "I would be blessed by many on both sides of the veil working and helping me and my family, and that you are not alone". As I stood on that stage I felt like I was George Bailey at the end of "It's a Wonderful Life". You know the part I mean. As George stands in his living room and all of his friends and neighbors start pouring in to his home to help him. I now know what that feels like, how overwhelmed with emotions he must have felt as he watched so many people come in to his home. I couldn't help think "what have I done to have such an out pouring of support for my family".
Because I know of my many short comings this humbled me even more, I'm so grateful that so many haven't given up on me or Jason. That through their examples of the pure love of Christ I'm still learning and wanting to do better.
My friend that helped with all of this would tell me over and over that what she was doing 'was nothing really', "you'd do it for me". I'm grateful to her for having that kind of faith in me and I know that this saying is so true: "No Man Is A Failure Who Has Friends".
Thank you again to anyone that is reading this that came last night. It means so much to us. Between this fundraiser and the Taco night, Jason will be able to take a big chunk out of his medical bills. But more importantly, Thank You for being there and supporting him. I watched as his eyes widened at all of the people there that were applauding him as he stood before everyone. It gave him strength and helped him feel so much love. More than the financial help Aaron and I are grateful for that moment.
We love you all so much and are so grateful for all the blessings that we have been given.
Thank You, Thank You and Thank You!!!!
