Day 7
(More pictures will be uploaded later today - having difficulties getting all of them to download)
Today has been a day of reflection. It was only three weeks ago that Jeff sat at the head of the table in his dining room and led a conversation about the future over spaghetti dinner, our Sunday tradition. All of his children and grandchildren were there and excitement over the adventures to come filled the room.
We discussed a condo in Park City in 2016, Jackson Hole in 2017, places he and Ryan planned on biking, camping as a family at Payson Lakes, hiking together up Mount Timponogos to show the little ones the cave this September, and family pictures next month at Wheeler Farm.
Our hearts are heavy over the changes to these plans that have to be discussed and made. Looking that far into the future seems impossible right now. Instead we are taking it day by day. The gift of the present is what matters. The most we can say about the future at this point in time is that we are just grateful it will include our dad and grandpa!
We want to thank everyone who participated in the fast today. We have faith that our prayers are heard and our righteous desires will be lovingly answered by our Father in heaven.
We have the most amazing extended family in the world! They put together a "break the fast dinner" for us and we were able to be rejuvenated and gain strength from their loving support and testimonies. Our biggest regret was that our family members in Denver weren't able to be here.
Brandi and Zach made it safely back and just in time for dinner! It was great catching up with them and getting a first hand account of how Jeff, Annette, and Peggy are doing. From all accounts they are doing better than expected under the circumstances.
Peggy reports that they are seeing more and more of Jeff being like his usual self. His biggest complaint right now is that he wants to drink water and real milk. He's over the thickened crap and wants to move on! They say his swallowing has been improving and he'll be reevaluated tomorrow to see if it's possible to try thin liquids again.
While results have not returned on the blood cultures related to the fever, his temperature has been stable and good all day. They actually turned the air down to 68 degrees and uncovered him, thinking that maybe he was just overheated. Annette and Peggy now freeze during their visits, but Jeff has always liked a cooler temperature and is very comfortable. Annette said her hands and fingers literally turned purple today because she was so cold!
His voice gets stronger every day as his throat recovers from being intubated, where they put the tube down it during surgery for breathing.
His next problem is that for a guy who used to shower twice a day he can't stand only having bed baths! He keeps asking, "Can't you just take me and dip me in water?" Maybe we can take him to the baptismal font after he gets home and make his wish a reality!
His blood pressure problems stem from a chemical imbalance in the brain. When he sits upright he's not producing the proper amount of dopamine required to keep the levels stable, so they drop. Time is the biggest factor here. His body needs time to work it all out. They started him on a very low dose of steroids to try and help. We are praying they have the desired effects.
Jeff is starting to feel his stomach more. He isn't eating a whole lot, but he told Annette today when he felt like he'd had enough because it felt weird and kind of yucky. They expect him to be able to feel hunger again soon.
He's itching to get on his computer! Annette says he's being a lot more patient with himself than expected when trying to do these simple tasks that used to be as thoughtless as breathing and now require his full concentration. He has had some success in using the touch screen with his knuckles, but anyone who has a touch screen will know how sensitive they are and how easily they screw up when the touch isn't exact. We hope to find equipment made for these problems so he has more independence.
In order to prevent contractures, a problem where the muscles get stuck into one position and are unable to be fixed, the physical therapists have given Jeff exercises to do with his arms. Peggy and Annette also straighten out his fingers and massage them regularly. His feet are put into a boot that is rotated from one to the other every two hours when he gets turned.
He's on even less Valium now and is awake a lot more. Sometimes when he wakes up from a nap he expresses irritation that time is so slow now that he's aware of it more. Peggy thinks he liked sleeping more because the days went by faster.
Peggy was reading an article to him from the paper about a newer battery powered car, the Tesla, and he had a tender moment where he paused and let his mind process things. With tears in his eyes he softly said, "This reminds me that I won't be able to ride my new bike." Just recently he participated in an auction and was the highest bidder on a Harley Davidson. One of the many things he loved to do was ride motorcycles with Annette.
Tonight at our family gathering the men were all discussing how they want to convert his new bike for him so he will be able to ride it! They've also started discussing and looking into how to make Jeff and Annette's home wheelchair friendly. We are so grateful for how thoughtful they are, because at this point in time we haven't even reached a level of functioning to figure out what needs to be done before he can come home.
Tonight we were reminded of why family is so important. We lift each other up when we find ourselves face planted on the ground. Family means there is always someone there to see a need and find a way to fill it. They are there to pick up what pieces of your life fall through the cracks. They hurt with you, cry with you, laugh with you, and pray with you. Family is what this life is all about.
We can't wait for Jeff to come back to Utah so he can be lifted up by the many family members and friends who care about him. Annette is holding out hope that his blood pressures will stabilize enough that he can be transferred on Wednesday. They are planning on speaking with the social worker about the different options available tomorrow.
Insurance companies will not cover a second transport, even in circumstances such as this. It is expected to cost upwards of $20,000 just to get him home, all out of pocket, because he'll need extensive medical supervision the whole time. We are looking into different options here at home also and ask that if anyone has information that could help us out to please let us know.
An update from Peggy:
"Today was a quiet Sunday at Denver Health Center. Nurse Jamie was with us again and we were grateful. Everything went well. It was the same routine as usual except Jeff was with us during all the action and conversations, even commenting on the T.V. shows. He is more and more like the Jeff we all know and love. He teared up with us when I told him that all except for 4 people all of our Page family members were going to be at the "The end of the Family Fast dinner". We will keep you updated on changes and progress for getting him home."
Again we can't thank everyone enough for all of the love, well wishes, hopeful thoughts, and prayers. While each day is still a trial, we feel our burdens being lifted. The Lord is answering our prayers by sending strength through each and every one of you. You are His hands when you follow the promptings to remind us that we are in your thoughts and prayers.
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