Dear Mom

Dear Mom,

I can't believe that it has been five months since your surgery.  What an adventure it has been!  I hope you know how much I have enjoyed spending these last few months with you.  I'll admit I have been spoiled being able to stay with you and drive you crazy.  Man what a pair we make.

This morning was rough; I'm not going to lie.  Remember how much I love you.  You are my hero, confidant, best friend, and mother.  Don't worry all is well.  You taught me how to carry on during hard times and how to endure.  I know who to turn to in good times and in bad.  I know that you will be with me when I get married, have children, need an attitude adjustment, or whatever the case may be.  I am so grateful that our family is eternal.  I look forward to the day when I can see you again.  I'm so proud to call you my mother.

Love Always,

Robs

Lessons to be Learned

Dear Friends,

I know that it has been awhile since I last updated you about Mom's transplant journey. The last 4-6 weeks she has been battling nausea/vomiting and the doctors have been trying to figure out the root cause. We enjoyed Thanksgiving with Dad and Becca. Cody and Cassie were able to Skype us so that was nice.

Unfortunately, life has taken a turn for Mom; she is back in ICU. This time around we aren't 100% sure what is happening with her body. We are waiting for test results to come back. I will tell you that the doctors and nurses are doing everything in their power to make her well. It is disheartening to see her being incubated again, but I know that everything will work out.

With that being said, I have been trying to figure out what I am suppose to learn from this life lesson Mom is trying to teach me. My worst thought is that she is preparing me for when I have children. I tell you what I have never been so tired in my life than I have been these last four months. I go to bed late and wake up early. Showering is a challenge. I never knew the energy required to bathe!(Trust me I still bathe and no I am not depressed.) I guess my gray hair has tripled so I won't be so disappointed when children make me have more. My patience level has gone from sub-zero to zero so it's moving in the right direction.

Who knows what I am suppose to learn, but it's amusing to come up with theories as I sit at the hospital with Mom each day. It is even more amusing because this reminds me of a conversation I had with Mom a month or two before her transplant. She called to inform me that she wanted children in the house. I very quickly explained that she needed to remember that she has 5 grandchildren not more than 30 mins away and I am sure that my wonderful brother and his wife would love to drop the kids off on any day of the week. That is when she informed me that she wanted a baby in the house, and I was the one who needed to correct that. I quipped that I would run out and go get myself knocked up, but I didn't know how that would solve her problem because I live in Utah. She was horrified at my suggestion (which I knew she would be and just wanted to give her a hard time) and said that's not what she meant. She wanted me to move home, get married, and start popping out grandchildren. I told her good luck with that and if she wanted a baby so badly that she and Dad needed to hop on that and give me a younger sibling. Her response was priceless! She said, but Robyn my baby making parts have expired!!! OMG I love this woman with every fiber of my being!!!

Funny story before I close......Monday morning around 6, Mom's nurse was trying to wake her up to give her that morning's medicine. For those of you who really know me and my family know that we aren't morning people. Outside of my Dad, the rest of us prefer to sleep in and wake up closer to 9am. Mom kept telling the nurse to get out of her room, and he was like I can't Ms. Statum because I have to make sure that you take your morning medicine. After about the third time of Mom telling him to get out, she finally told him that he needed to call security so they can have him removed from her room! He then looked at me and asked has her mental status changed. I responded nope that's my Mom! Mom is a fighter so one way or another we will make it through all of this with flying colors.

I ask that you keep the doctors and nurses in your prayers that they will be able to identify what is happening and the course of action to correct it! Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you as you face your daily trials.

Much love,

Robyn

I've lost count :)

Oiy Friends & Family,

I feel I should clarify last week's post. I'm at the hospital day in and day out.....I just feel as though I need to handle all that is going on cheerfully and without complaint. The last couple of weeks have been challenging so I have been at my wits end. So I apologize for my doomsday lament.

I want to thank all those who helped my Dad with the house yesterday. Also a belated thank you to whomever had our lawn taken care of months ago. I thought it was a certain person and when I asked my Dad if he had said gracias, Dad said that the person who we thought did it did n't. To whomever you are please accept our belated gratitude. 

Yesterday I was stuck at the car shop having a new alternator installed in the car so I wasn't able to get to the hospital till late. I was thrilled when Mom told me that Pat and Betty Faye came to visit! Mom loves her owl and the sweet card from the sisters in the ward. 

Mom went back to ICU a few days ago and I am happy to report that we are back in TSU (transplant step down unit)!! Mom is a champ, and is doing her darnedest to get better because she is so ready to go home as see all of you! 

As always thank you for your continued prayers, sweet cards, and support! Here is to a more positive outlook! 

Much love,

Robyn

Come What May and Love It

Dear Family & Friends,

I apologize for not providing regular updates as of late.  Life has been challenging to say the least.  As most of you know I am quite private and over protective.  When it comes to my mother I am extremely over protective so I don't fill you in on hard issues we face together and as a family.

The last few weeks have been quite overwhelming...there doesn't seem to be an end in sight.  Just when you think that a corner has been turned another corner keeps popping up, and when life can't get any worse it does.  Tonight was my breaking point.  As I was holding Mom's with tears in my eyes, Elder Wirthlin's conference address from a few years ago came to mind Come What May.  Then, I started feeling bad that I wasn't gladly bearing the trials placed before me I stumbled upon President Monson's address from last month's General Conference.  My waterworks started flowing again.  I know that Heavenly Father is mindful of our situations in life and of our needs.  I'm so very grateful that my Mom taught me to whom I should turn to in all things.  As hard as life is at the moment, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Mom and I pray for you each night, and appreciate all of your prayers, thoughts, cards, love, and support.  We are blessed beyond measure.

Much love,

Robyn

13 Weeks 5 Days 20 hours 3 Mins

Dear Friends & Family,

I'm going to be honest; I am a ball of nerves.  I never thought that this day would come.  Countless tears have been shed and prayers offered.  I didn't know that I could cry anymore.  Tonight my heart is overflowing with gratitude and love for my Mom and the family that we have.  As we started the transplant process, I prayed and prayed that I would be at peace with whatever the Lord decided.  Many times during the last couple of months the doctors told us that we shouldn't take a minute for granted that we had with Mom.  There have been many ups and downs, stressful days, and sleepless nights.  This time last year we were still mourning the loss of Zack (mind you we will always love and miss him.)  Tonight we are counting the many blessings Heavenly Father has bestowed upon us.  We are also celebrating that we are officially out of ICU!  We still have a long road ahead, but with the help of the Lord and your prayers anything is possible.

Thank you for staying with us through this long journey.  We love and appreciate you.  Here is a pic of Mom celebrating her new room assignment.

Much Love,

Robyn

Did I Shave My Legs for This?

Family & Friends,

HELLO 3 month mark....well that is technically tomorrow, but since Mom is currently asleep I am going to take this opportunity to update ya'll.

The last couple of weeks we have taken a few steps forward and a few steps back.  The healing process is definitely a frustrating one.  Dad was able to be here for part of last week which was nice.  It is always nice when the nurse brings the mail to our room.  So thank you to those who have sent their sweet notes.  I'm not going to lie, I usually cry when I read them to Mom.  I think it's because I need a good cry, but there is never an opportune moment to just decompress.  Nick and Elizabeth stopped by Sunday which is a pleasant surprise.  I can't believe how much their children have grown!

Mom has had a hard time keeping her spirits up which is to be expected.  So I try to keep her spirits up by pampering her.  The last few weeks she has been begging me to shave her legs with her electric razor.  Well, we had to wait for Dad to bring it down with him, and then I had to remember to bring it with me to the hospital.  What I have learned is that the electric razor is just to complicated for me.  Between the electric razor and my NORMAL razor the leg shaving was accomplished!  I didn't like Mom's peptobismal color toes (mind you I am the one who painted them that) so today I painted them a papaya color.

Needless to say it is the little things in life that we should enjoy.  I started to cry yesterday when Mom sat up on the side of the bed.  Slowly but surely we will make it out of this place.  One way or another (queue the Blondie song).

On another note, I need your brain because my has been on the fritz.  I need to have my stuff moved out of my apartment by the end of October, and I do not have any solutions.  So my dear friends and family if you can think of any possible solution(s) I am all ears!

Thank you for all that you do!

Much love,

Robyn

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Dear Family & Friends,

If you are ever in need of a good laugh, call me!  Mom's CO2 levels were higher than normal last week so she practically slept from Thursday afternoon to Sunday afternoon.  I was able to read a couple of books and just chill which was nice for a change.

Being in the hospital for 10 weeks and most of that time being in ICU you learn to tackle everything a day at a time.  You also start fine tuning personality skills such as not yelling at the ultrasound tech when she tells your mother that this is what she signed up for.......trust me it took everything in me not to physically harm that person or when you have a nurse that doesn't want you in the room whenever she is doing anything to your mother.  We have our highs and lows everyday.

Our low today was apparently when Mom took the nurse and doctor to task prior to me arriving for the day.  The high was watching her apologize to the nurse and doctor for showing out this morning, and then making everyone laugh hysterically.  I will say that it takes a special nurse to be able to take care of my Mom, and for those nurses I am and will be forever grateful.

Other than Mom being silly there isn't much new news. (Now watch something hit the fan after I post this :) that would be my luck!)

Until next time peace, love, and chicken grease.

Much love,

Robyn