These are some of the Facebook posts and messages during this crazy time period.
February 21, 2013 --- the journey begins
February 22, 2013
Have I been tested enough over the past year??? Did I pass all of the tests? Have I earned a free ticket to heaven??? I think so --- someone else can have a turn because I believe in sharing!
UPDATE: We are no longer in Vernal --- Aaron was transferred to University Hospital in SLC via Life Flight piloted by the son-in-law of my very dear friend Diane May Olds. Aaron is very sick and has very little of his small intestine left (hoping they don't have to take more).
I sure do love this man — with Aaron B Jorgensen at University of Utah Hospital.
Me: They took him into the operating room as soon as he arrived in SLC. They opened him so the surgeon here could see what was going on because he didn't have surgical notes from Vernal and couldn't get in touch with the surgeon. They are going to keep him sedated today with a breathing tube and take him back into the operating room tomorrow.
About 4:00 this morning, I rented me a room at the University Guest House and I don't have to check out until Monday at noon. I just needed some sleep but I only slept from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
I just talked to the nurse and I think I'm just going to try and rest for a while --- she said I can be there as much as I want but he isn't going to know so I'm going to take care of me first and rest.
There is no doubt he had to have emergency surgery in Vernal, but they just aren't equipped enough to handle this type of surgery for a Crohn's patient --- his heart rate is still too fast. They are giving him a lot more fluid.
From the surgeon's mouth: "He is very sick, but I don't think he is going to die."
He will probably be in the hospital for 2 weeks.
Right now, I'm not sure of my plans. I really wanted to go back to St George on Monday for a couple of days, but I think I better be here.
I don't know what to do about the boys --- I know they should be here too, but I don't want them to get behind in school, etc.
Aaron is in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit --- Room 2205. The security code is 0670. The nurse said she would call me if anything changes today.
February 24, 2013
He is out of surgery. They were able to close the abdomen back up (been open since Friday night) without removing any more bowel. He will be back in his ICU room in about 10-15 minutes. 2 or 3 more days in ICU then in the hospital for another week. Things are looking up!!!
February 25, 2013
February 26, 2013
February 27, 2013
UPDATE (day 6): Aaron removed his NG tube after I left last night and before I arrived this morning so they had to restrain his arms again. He isn't restrained as long as I am in here watching him. We have doctor's orders to move from ICU to a regular room, but we have to wait until one is available --- might be in the morning.
Aaron was rather confused this morning when I arrived --- was wondering why I hadn't been here for several days.
Physical therapy came and walked him to the end of the hall in this unit. He has more strength in his hands than he did yesterday.
One day at a time!!!
February 28, 2013
UPDATE (Day 7):
After I left last night, they moved Aaron to a private room --- I sure don't miss ICU!!! This room is a little bigger and I don't feel like I am always in the way.
Aaron started on a clear liquid diet this morning (jello, vegetable broth and apple juice). He receives IV Tylenol for pain because he is way too loopy with narcotics!
They just removed the IV in his neck today and put one in his arm (for antibiotics, pain meds, etc.)
His mobility is improving. It only took one physical therapist (instead of two) to take him for his walk this morning.
The doctor mentioned today he might need to go to Rehab after release from the hospital and before he goes home --- we'll wait and see.
I'm thinking I might go to St. George for a couple days now that he is doing better --- I know our kids are doing fine (thanks to the best neighbors in the world), but I still feel like I need to play mom for a few hours.
March 1, 2013
Julie Scott Jorgensen wrote on Becca Tate Bishop's Timeline:
Thank you SO much for the yummy corn chowder --- so nice to not worry about dinner after driving 300 miles!!! You're the best!
March 2, 2013
Update (day 9):
I drove to St. George yesterday afternoon — it is so nice to be home for a couple of days. I will head back to Salt Lake on Sunday morning.
Aaron is making great progress. He finally got to take a shower yesterday — he said it felt so good!
Very thankful for medical insurance. We won't have to pay anything to University Hospital since the hospital in Vernal has already billed and insurance paid it first. We reached our out-of-pocket maximum. $41,000 billed for 30 hours of in-patient hospitalization --- we only have to pay $3700 to meet our out-of-pocket maximum.
March 3, 2013
Well, I'm back in Salt Lake with my hubby at University Hospital. The doctors told him earlier today they will most likely discharge him tomorrow --- talk about real progress in the last few days!!! Now, the fun begins --- NOT (I'm really not the best nurse)!!!
March 4, 2013
After 11 days at University Hospital, I'm taking my hubby home!!!
March 21, 2013
My husband is embarrassed because I wanted to read him a storybook at the doctor office. — with Aaron B Jorgensen at Mountain West Gastroenterology PC.
Conversation with Becca Bishop --- 02/23/2013 9:07AM
About 4:00 this morning, I rented me a room at the University Guest House and I don't have to check out until Monday at noon. I just needed some sleep but I only slept from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
I just talked to the nurse and I think I'm just going to try and rest for a while --- she said I can be there as much as I want but he isn't going to know so I'm going to take care of me first and rest.
There is no doubt he had to have emergency surgery in Vernal, but they just aren't equipped enough to handle this type of surgery for a Crohn's patient --- his heart rate is still too fast. They are giving him a lot more fluid.
From the surgeon's mouth: "He is very sick, but I don't think he is going to die."
He will probably be in the hospital for 2 weeks.
Right now, I'm not sure of my plans. I really wanted to go back to St George on Monday for a couple of days, but I think I better be here.
I don't know what to do about the boys --- I know they should be here too, but I don't want them to get behind in school, etc.
Aaron is in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit --- Room 2205. The security code is 0670. The nurse said she would call me if anything changes today.
February 24, 2013
He is out of surgery. They were able to close the abdomen back up (been open since Friday night) without removing any more bowel. He will be back in his ICU room in about 10-15 minutes. 2 or 3 more days in ICU then in the hospital for another week. Things are looking up!!!
February 25, 2013
February 26, 2013
UPDATE (day 5): I haven't updated in a little while, but here is the latest. We are still in ICU at University Hospital in SLC. He is a little more coherent and, if he stays off the narcotics, a lot less loopy. He has said some crazy things today (I kept a record of them so we can laugh at them later).
The physical therapist and occupational therapist just came by and got him to sit up on the edge of the bed and walked to the door and back with assistance from them. He was very tired after all that hard work! Probably a couple more days in ICU and then another week in a private room. Hopefully we will be back home by the end of next week. We still have a long road ahead of us!!! I am so grateful for my friends and neighbors --- they keep an eye on our teenagers who are staying home alone (yikes). It is a good thing they are such good kids. |
February 27, 2013
UPDATE (day 6): Aaron removed his NG tube after I left last night and before I arrived this morning so they had to restrain his arms again. He isn't restrained as long as I am in here watching him. We have doctor's orders to move from ICU to a regular room, but we have to wait until one is available --- might be in the morning.
Aaron was rather confused this morning when I arrived --- was wondering why I hadn't been here for several days.
Physical therapy came and walked him to the end of the hall in this unit. He has more strength in his hands than he did yesterday.
One day at a time!!!
February 28, 2013
UPDATE (Day 7):
After I left last night, they moved Aaron to a private room --- I sure don't miss ICU!!! This room is a little bigger and I don't feel like I am always in the way.
Aaron started on a clear liquid diet this morning (jello, vegetable broth and apple juice). He receives IV Tylenol for pain because he is way too loopy with narcotics!
They just removed the IV in his neck today and put one in his arm (for antibiotics, pain meds, etc.)
His mobility is improving. It only took one physical therapist (instead of two) to take him for his walk this morning.
The doctor mentioned today he might need to go to Rehab after release from the hospital and before he goes home --- we'll wait and see.
I'm thinking I might go to St. George for a couple days now that he is doing better --- I know our kids are doing fine (thanks to the best neighbors in the world), but I still feel like I need to play mom for a few hours.
March 1, 2013
Julie Scott Jorgensen wrote on Becca Tate Bishop's Timeline:
Thank you SO much for the yummy corn chowder --- so nice to not worry about dinner after driving 300 miles!!! You're the best!
March 2, 2013
Update (day 9):
I drove to St. George yesterday afternoon — it is so nice to be home for a couple of days. I will head back to Salt Lake on Sunday morning.
Aaron is making great progress. He finally got to take a shower yesterday — he said it felt so good!
Very thankful for medical insurance. We won't have to pay anything to University Hospital since the hospital in Vernal has already billed and insurance paid it first. We reached our out-of-pocket maximum. $41,000 billed for 30 hours of in-patient hospitalization --- we only have to pay $3700 to meet our out-of-pocket maximum.
March 3, 2013
Well, I'm back in Salt Lake with my hubby at University Hospital. The doctors told him earlier today they will most likely discharge him tomorrow --- talk about real progress in the last few days!!! Now, the fun begins --- NOT (I'm really not the best nurse)!!!
March 4, 2013
After 11 days at University Hospital, I'm taking my hubby home!!!
March 21, 2013
My husband is embarrassed because I wanted to read him a storybook at the doctor office. — with Aaron B Jorgensen at Mountain West Gastroenterology PC.
May 10, 2013
Aaron is going back into surgery today --- one step forward and two steps back!
Surgery went well.
Thank you SO much Paula A Adams for hanging out with me in the surgery waiting room --- it made it so much nicer:)
 |
So sat at the hospital today while my friend Julie Scott Jorgensen's husband was in surgery. The time flew and we were able to catch up on all kinds of things. We need to take the time to share LOUD laughter with our good friends. Yeah we got the look from the volunteer on the surgical floor. I felt like I was in high school again! It was very much-needed as my life has been too serious lately:)
|
!['So sat at the hospital today while my friend @[1531389561:2048:Julie Scott Jorgensen]'s husband was in surgery. The time flew and we were able to catch up on all kinds of things. We need to take the time to share LOUD laughter with our good friends. Yeah we got the look from the volunteer on the surgical floor. I felt like I was in high school again!'](https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/s206x206/946831_10200095245489546_1551880176_n.jpg?oh=811ed76d0f58dfe9c23cec180ec82ea5&oe=59407857)
 |
Karen --- he has been throwing up for 2 weeks straight even though he hasn't had anything to eat or drink for weeks (intravenous feeding since March 29) --- he had a blockage because of excessive scar tissue and a fistula. One of these days he will be able to go back to work!!!
|
May 11, 2013
Ashley Haywood: How is Aaron today? Thinking about you lots this morning. 
<3
<3Me: He is doing well --- I think we will finally get him on the road to recovery so he can go back to work:)
We are hanging out on the 1st floor of DRMC and we have had the best nurses (Ruth and Ivo) --- maybe if we are here long enough we will get Jenna but she doesn't work again until Thursday.
Happy Mother's Day to me --- so grateful to have Cheryl as a friend:) Kneaders' Overnight French Toast
Happy Mother's Day to me --- so grateful to have Cheryl as a friend:) Kneaders' Overnight French Toast
May 12, 2013
Conversation with Sherry Armour Andersen:
So much is expected of strong souls. I think about mothers in the scriptures, so many had such hard trials, and they were chosen, and special women. Nothing dainty about real motherhood, every mother knows that
:) I see you as a strong soul...and know you have a heart as big as Heaven...I hope those boys are doting on one awesome momma ! Love you have a Blessed Mother's Day
Thanks Sherry --- I think you are a fantastic momma too (and so is your beautiful daughter Lauren). Bronson is fixing dinner tonight. Right now, we are just hanging out in Aaron's hospital room.He had surgery on Friday --- he had been throwing up for 2 weeks despite not eating or drinking anything (still being IV fed) --- he had a blockage caused by excessive scar tissue.
I can't think of anything I need help with --- I've really been blessed with so much strength to handle this latest trial:)
June 5, 2013 --- and the 4-month "vacation" comes to an end!
Conversation with Sherry Armour Andersen:
So much is expected of strong souls. I think about mothers in the scriptures, so many had such hard trials, and they were chosen, and special women. Nothing dainty about real motherhood, every mother knows that
:) I see you as a strong soul...and know you have a heart as big as Heaven...I hope those boys are doting on one awesome momma ! Love you have a Blessed Mother's DayThanks Sherry --- I think you are a fantastic momma too (and so is your beautiful daughter Lauren). Bronson is fixing dinner tonight. Right now, we are just hanging out in Aaron's hospital room.He had surgery on Friday --- he had been throwing up for 2 weeks despite not eating or drinking anything (still being IV fed) --- he had a blockage caused by excessive scar tissue.
I can't think of anything I need help with --- I've really been blessed with so much strength to handle this latest trial:)
My husband is finally returning to work (light-duty) for the first time since our medical nightmare
began on February 21 --- so looking forward to having some normalcy back in my life:) |
