Home and Back to PCMC

Saturday started with a blood draw. It took four times to get it. What an awful thing to wake up to. Then Andrew had a shower. Randall and Ariel took Andrew to get a Big Mac and then to pick up a shirt at Kohls. Later we found out that his sodium levels were very low. Not good! They told us some things to do and to watch out for. He was fine until bedtime. He passed out on us and we were not sure if it was a result of the low sodium. So we had to call 911. Ariel took his vitals while we waited. He came to, but looked very pale. They took him back to PCMC. We felt so bad for him. It was hard. Our good neighbor, Rick, came over and helped Randall give him a blessing. Ariel rode with him in the ambulance and Randall went with the sheriff. I stayed with the kids. They were pretty upset so we all slept in my bedroom. Today, I talked to Randall. He said that they believe one of the meds is causing the sodium to drop. They have adjusted some things. We will have a stronger sodium saline to give him. They also redid his NJ tube because it was clogged. One of the meds is quite cakey so I think that I will have him swallow that one rather than pushing it down the tube. So we hope he will be home in a couple of hours. Very low sodium can be very dangerous so we will have to stay on this problem. This will be the new fun, making sure that he is doing well. We will also have to take it easy on the trips out.

FYI

The Benefit is December 7th, 6:00 p.m., Kaysville Junior High

There is No Place Like Home

Today started early, at seven a.m. Andrew was excited to go home and didn't have much patience. There was a lot to do in order to leave. Different departments had to sign off. Equipment had to arrive. Rick McGurk came up to visit for a minute. There were a lot of people to thank and say goodbye to. By 1:30, we had all the stuff out to the cars and Andrew in the chair and ready to go. We stopped to pick up all of his meds. Then Andrew decided to walk out of the hospital. We stopped the wheel chair and Andrew stood up and walked out the door. This was an amazing moment that I will never forget! We trusted in the Lord that this day would come and it did! So many people have labored to bring us to this day. Andrew felt well and enjoyed the ride home. He talked and noticed things along the way. When we reached Kaysville, he wanted to drive around the block before stopping. The welcome party at our house was surprised to see us pass by. Finally, we arrived home. It was an emotional moment for us all. The Barkers were waiting along with Kortny. Andrew walked around the house and checked out his new room upstairs. Then he disappeared down stairs. Once we got all of his medical supplies and equipment into the house, we organized. Andrew ended up staying downstairs to watch a movie. The home health company arrived to help me set up his feeding tube. I have to follow a schedule for meds, feeds, vitals, and ostomy care. I will track all sorts of information. Andrew felt at home and was thrilled to be there. The best moment came when the movie was over, he came upstairs like he always used to. He layed down in our bed between us for a bit before we got him to bed. In life, you don't often get a second chance. We have been given one. I intend to make the best of it. Our priorities have shifted. Family means more to us than ever. Our faith has seen us through the most intense, emotional and frightening time of our lives. We put our faith in the Lord and he strengthened us to be able to stand the trials put before us. We are so thankful! We want to thank all of those who have provided meals. There are more then I can mention. God bless you! We are also thankful for the many chaplains of all faiths who took the time to talk to and pray for Andrew. There faith and service is inspiring! Many people have asked if I will continue the blog. I will update once a week. We have family all over the world so that will help them to stay connected.

Andrews Benefit- Puppet Show, Auction and Ariel Singing

Hello Everyone!

This is Ariel Spilker,

I am writing because i have put together a Auction for Andrews Benefit on Monday the 7th. I have received donations from the following buisnesses.

-The Paw Spa
-Guitar Lessons
-Voice Lessons
-Lisa's Passion for Popcorn
-Fit Life
-Ace Hardware
-Massage from Holly
-Nail Salon
-Bowmans
-Paradise Tanning
-Baer Cayon Dental- Teeth Whitening
-Hair Max
-Taco Time
-CCCNA Has donated a CNA Class It is worth 450 dollars and an excellent place to get certified. I just finished the course. It only takes a week. If you do it at the DATC it takes a semester.

Please let everyone about the auction!

This is going to be a great event dont miss it!

Love you all

Destination Kaysville

Tomorrow Andrew is going home!!! This morning at his care conference, Dr. Black made the announcement. Andrew's doctor from Tanner Clinic attended the conference. It was our last chance to discuss our concerns and express our appreciation. We have had a super team working on his recovery. After the meeting, The news started spreading about his departure. We took a spin around the PICU to say our goodbyes. Ian, our favorite nurse, was there. He was so happy to hear the news. He commented that it is kids like Andrew that make him want to continue doing his work. So many people had worked on him in the PICU and many came to ooh and ahh over him. It was quite a moment when I wheeled him into the room that he spent five weeks in. He only has slight memories of his time there. Next, we went up to the third floor to hang out on the leather couches. A border collie therapy dog stopped to visit Andrew. He enjoyed petting him. It was time for his shower then wound vac change. Things looked great. We enjoyed saying goodbye to a lot of great people. Andrew had me play Christmas music for him on the piano. I think it is really sinking in, to us both, that we are about to be, relatively speaking, on our own. I will have to monitor his vitals, take care of his NJ feedings, ostomy, and meds. They have given me good training so I feel pretty good about it. Our neighbor, Tyler, doesn't get to go home yet. I am sure that it is hard for him to see us leave. We pray that he will get home soon! Someone asked me if I am nervous. I say "bring it on". I am so done with camping in the trailer! Besides, Andrew will heal much better at home.

How About that Jazz

Today was a great day for Andrew. It started with our declaration that we want to go home. We let all the doctors know that it is time. Then I had volunteered to play the piano in the cafeteria for their kick-off of the holiday season. Lillie, the music therapist sang while I played. She was very good! The cafeteria is always packed during lunch. When I finished, I turned around to see grandma Spilker and Andrew. She had found out that today was the day that the Jazz team comes up to see the kids at PCMC. We were so excited. We saw Carlos Boozer as he walked into the hospital. He talked to Andrew, asking him how he was doing. We hurried up to his room. CJ Miles, Deron Williams, the Jazz Bear, and a Jazz cheerleader came into his room. It was so awesome. Grandpa Spilker drove up to the hospital in time to be there. They were so nice to Andrew. We took pictures. Grandpa turned on his baseball cap that light up, blinking the Jazz logo. Andrew had his Jazz blanket and pants on. Deron Williams signed Andrew's socks and gave him a signed Jazz ball! Grandpa asked Deron Williams something about those referees. He answered then noticed Ariel had her camera going. He told her it better not end up on you tube! As I went down stairs to eat lunch I saw Jerry Sloan and Boozer again. There were three other players but I don't know who they were. Ariel got their picture. So we decided that it was good we didn't go home last week. We would have missed a very cool experience. After that Steve Greer stopped by to see Andrew. We had a nice chat. While he was there, Dr. Black came in and announced that Friday or Saturday is our exit day!! We are so excited. Tonight, I had to learn to crush pills to put into his feeding tube. I think I have learned everything that I need to know. I did realize that I will be up in the night with him for meds and aches and pains. So this is when the fun begins! We are so grateful to all the staff at PCMC for their expertise in caring for Andrew. If you have to be sick, this is the place for kids!!