The Best Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! Andrew had a wonderful Christmas. We took him to the mall to pick up a present. He was able to attend our family parties. The first party was a lunch on Christmas Eve. His cousins, Nicole, Ryan and Eli were here from California. That night we went to the Spilker party. It is always great fun. Grandma Spilker feeds us a German buffet. It is the best meal of the year. Every family has to perform a talent. It gets pretty funny at times. Then we opened gifts. After that we picked up Grandma Martin to bring her home for a sleepover. Andrew was pretty wiped out Christmas morning. He wanted us to go ahead without him. But finally we were able to coax him out of bed. The gifts really didn't matter, we were content to just have the whole family together. Grandma put a bow on Andrew and called him the best gift of all! I cooked up a turkey and a ham. I don't know if Andrew is eating anymore food but, I seem to be cooking more food all the time. Half and half cream and bacon has become a staple at our home. The next day we took Andrew to his sister's home while we went to the show. Unfortunately, we found out that all movies were sold out! So we went back to Ashley's and watched a movie and had spagetti. Family time is the best part of the holidays. We are enjoying having Alex here from Washington. We are so thankful for all the kindness Andrew received for Christmas. He had carolers, treats, presents, and lots of visits. Andrew is thankful to the Tullis family, the Jenkins, the Spragues, Alice Henderson and Advanced Graphics for the gift. They found out that Andrew was feeling down when he learned that the money being rasied was for medical bills not for his fun money! They decided to gift him a bit of cash to brighten his spirit. It really did the trick. Thank you so much. Rick McGurk brought Andrew a really neat present. It is a sword made in Spain. It is really heavy, and it says "The Sword of Laban" on it. Thanks Rick! You have been great! Things are difficult for Andrew. He wrestles with pain all of the time. I think he is a bit anorexic from not eating for so long. He keeps his food down but eating doesn't sound good to him. I find myself worrying about this a lot. On Christmas Eve, Dr. Downey, called to check on Andrew. This is one of the surgeons who worked on Andrew. He talked to me for 1/2 hour. I continue to be impressed by this man. He wanted to know how Andrew is getting along. We will see him on Tuesday. Dr. Downey said that he feels an ownership in Andrew and that the hospital should too. He talks about him to associates all of the time. He mentioned that the muscle graft/skin graft surgery may be coming up. He feels that it will be a two year recovery for Andrew. On Christmas night, Andrew's wound vac failed. We tried to get a home health nurse out to change it, but no luck. So guess who got to change it? Luckily, I have seen it done a million times. Ariel helped me. It turned out ok, so we felt good about it. It has worked since! Finally, we have noticed that we are more aware of the people around us who are suffering. There are a lot of people who answer this suffering. Whether you are the server or the one being served, good comes from this interaction. January is coming. If you get the winter blues, find someone to help. You will end up helping yourself. I know this to be true. I have seen it from both sides.

Going to Church

Andrew is doing well. He is on normal food now. It is important that he gains weight so we try to fatten him up. Andrew went to our church for the first time since the accident. It was a great moment for us. I remembered a church meeting that we attended when he was in the PICU. I wondered then if he would ever attend with us again. Today, we came late and left early. That way he wouldn't be overwelmed by well- wishers. He is still having pain and he is quite weak. I fired his therapists last week. They told me that he is doing so well that he doesn't need them. So he continues to move forward. He is down to one wound vac on his back. The front just has a dressing over it. Andrew has been out a bit as he feels up to it. He likes pizza but still feels that eating is a burden. There are some ladies in our neighborhood who have done a great service for us. Leslie Clark has organized a cleaning effort that we can never repay. Once a week since September they have descended on our home and clean it up within an hour. At one point there were only teenagers living here so you can imagine! I am humbled with gratitude as I contemplate what great souls these ladies have. Thank you so much. I am so grateful for the Edward's family. They have put us in their back pocket and helped to carry us with their multiple kind deeds. My favorite deed was simply sitting and talking with them in a hospital waiting room. I have one more to share with you. We realized that it would be better if Andrew could sit up more during the day. Leslie got the idea to post that we needed a recliner. It only took a couple of days when Pierces called. Sure enough they had a recliner that they aren't using. Aren't people great! We know so. We continue to be so grateful that we have Andrew with us. We now belong to the "never take life for granted" club. We understand how fragile life is. It reminds us to cherish the moments that we have with our family. I went to my work party on saturday. It was great to see all my wonderful associates. I realize that so many people put their faith in Andrew's corner. That is a very powerful thing. Faith can move mountains. Faith moved a mountain for Andrew. We believe in miracles!!!

Thank You!!

Monday, Andrew's Benefit Puppet Show. The puppet show, put on by Alan Griffin, was wonderful. He really puts on a great show. There were so many people who helped to make the evening a success. We are incredibly grateful for the wonderful community and ward support. The money that was raised will help to keep our energy focused on Andrew. The concern that people have for Andrew is so amazing to us. Thank you so much! Andrew is happy to be home. It takes a lot of work to take care of him. Today I woke up to an ostomy that was leaking into his wound vac. So I had to change the entire dressing. The nurse had done is just yesterday. Luckily, I have watched it so many times that I can do it. Today Andrew had some friends from school drop by. Andrew showed them one of his scars and was telling them how he got it. It is good that he can talk about things. Later in the evening, he threw up his NJ tube. Now we will have to go to PCMC tomorrow to have it placed again. I have decided that it is kind of like having a newborn, except that he can verbalize his complaints! I had to take a nap today. He has me running back and forth for this and that. I don't mind really. It is just great to have him home and on the road to recovery. PCMC gave us the name of Kyle Korver's, of the Utah Jazz, Foundation. The representative came out to meet with us. They will install porch rails for us without cost. They do this as a service to families who need adjustments made to their homes to care for their children. He talked to Andrew and asked who his favorite player is. Andrew likes them all. He said that he will bring him a signed jersey from the players. Another example of the great people out there who care about others in their time for difficulty.

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!!

There's No Place LIke Home

Dec 1 Today they took the suction tube out of Andrew's nose. Yesterday went well so they felt it was time. Today wasn't as good as yesterday. He ate some ceral for breakfast. He wanted to go sit in grandma's trailer so we took him out there. He had some lunch but threw-up a bit. He was not happy so Randall came as soon as he could get away. He really likes having dad around. Today we reached the point where we are ready to go home! It is hard to be motivated when you don't feel well and when you have been in the hospital for so long. It is harder still to be movtivated when you see different faces every day. So today, certain members of his team decided that it is mom's fault that he isn't motivated as much as they would like. If you have ever raised a teenager you know that it is like raising the Titanic to get them to do something that they don't want to do! So I decided that their interpretation of the situation is "stupid" and "wrong". I am going to have to run interference for Andrew. When you have twenty different people on a team, everyone is going to have a little bit different take on a situation. In short, we have had enough! We want to go home!!!