December 13, 2012

Exciting past few days. . .Our annual Hansen Christmas Party and A New Baby!

Emma born December 11, 2012 (She just wouldn't wait until 12-12-2012). . .6.5 lbs. to Joe, Amy and Noelle. . .

* * *

With all this excitement going on Noel is still getting weekly lab work done.  Next week is a bit more grueling with labs, clinic & doctor visits.  Eye appointment Noel came out of it like a charm.  But as for the dentist. . .that is another story a bit of crown work before he can get cleared for dental work to report back to the U.

At this time in 2010 Noel was on his fourth surgery to remove the stone in his Pancreas duct. Liver Clinic visits in full swing and a MELD SCORE of 10. . .

Fast forward to 2011 Liver Clinic and diabetes visits in full swing.  Last day that Noel worked 12/13 and by now getting very fatiqued.  At our annual Hansen Christmas & Noelle birthday party Noel was very weak.  A donated wheel chair from Clive & Carolyn came in very handy. . .

December 2011 - MELD SCORE 21. . .

Hansen 2011 Christmas Party!

* * * 

November 24, 2012

It has been 6 months since Noel had his Liver Transplant and we can't believe it!  

A lot has gone on since last month.  We received information from his Kidney doctor that Noel would eventually need a Kidney Transplant.   Noel & I received our packet in the mail recently to prepare him for this stage in his life a Kidney Transplant.  This is all too familiar to us.  Not more than 2 years ago we were going through the same process preparing him for a Liver Transplant.  We are not sure of the depth of the tests he will need until we meet with his kidney doctor in January.  But we know there are tests very familiar that we will be doing in the upcoming months.  One of them is his eyes examined.  Yes!  We did that last week and out of Brett, Noel & I guess who had the healthy eyes and no change.  That would be Noel!  So now on to a dentist appointment to clear Noel of any infection.  He has an appointment set for next week.  With each of these appointments we present each doctor with a form to be filled out so that we can returned it to his doctors to add to the process of being put on the Transplant list.  We don't wish this process on anyone because of the stress it brings but Noel and I have prepared ourselves emotionally & physically to go through this process again.  If it wasn't for prayers from others, the ability to pray ourselves and our faith we don't know how we would get through this process.

With a busy November month already of Diabetes, Eye, Dentist and Lab appointments this isn't unusual to us.  Noel & I continue our weekly trek to the University of Utah Hospital for lab work sometimes more if doctors need to change medicines.  But the drive gets easier every time you drive.  Noel now has been putting up with my funny remarks of others driving for 2 years now.  Sometimes I think I am talking to myself but I know he's listening and can't believe what I am saying.  I think he is in shock!  I really need to write a book!  

The end October we were able to get together as a family and have a Halloween Party for the kids.  It started off with a scavenger hunt and of course Noel was right in the middle of it.  Craft time and a yummy dinner shared with all our kids, Papa Carl & Nana Lu. . .

Keep Searching Kids!

Great Costumes!

Craft Time!  Great pictures Kids!

* * *

Rewind to November 2010 brought Noel quite a quiet month of only a couple of appointments and time to be thankful for many things.  Still a bit sluggish!

Fast forward to November 2011 met with a psychologist in three different appointments as part of the prep for the Transplant list.  CT Scan at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital, (2)Liver Clinic appointments and labs.  Noel showing signs of extreme fatigue.  His liver starting to get harder because of the disease and stomach bloating more.  Noel sleeping a lot more as well but continues to go to work.  By the end of the month another emergency appointment at the Liver Clinic.  Noel was showing signs of bloating, pain, not eating much, slurring speech, slow reflex's.  New medication for water retention and itching added.  CT results look good no signs of cancer.  Did not have to be hospitalized just increased his dose of Lactulose.  MELD SCORE 15 . . .

* * *

With this season of Thanksgiving our family does have a lot to be grateful for.  A second chance for my husband, our dad, papa and friend to live again.  We are very grateful for the family that chose to donate their loved ones organs so others and Noel so they could have that second chance at life.

* THANKS *

Tis the season to be thankful!!

I just wanted to write a quick note to say

how I am extremely thankful today.

Today marks the 6 month anniversary of Dad's new liver!

I remember back a week or so before we got the call that "his perfect match" was waiting for him, that the doctors had told them that a new liver needed to be found within 6 months for sure. On this special anniversary I am just so thankful that dad's perfect match's family made the ultimate selfless gift to someone they never met or story they never heard. Thank You again over and over to everyone that has been there on this crazy ride with us!   

       

Happy 6 month anniversary Dad!!!

October 22, 2012

Recapping the past week:

Noel released on Fri. 10/19/2012. . .

Noel feeling better after being pumped with antibiotics. Taken off a couple of more medications. Yippee!  But those darn Kidney's need to start working better the doc's tell us.  Drink more water!   They say his wound is even looking better as well but he needs to put on a bit more weight!

* * *

Happy Birthday Brett!

10/19/2012

 Your How Young?

 Ah! "18"

* * *

For those of you who knew Chad he would of been "29" on October 19th as well!  We all miss him so much!  Happy Birthday Chad!

* * *

October 22, 2012

Labs & Liver Clinic visit today!  This starts at 8:00 am and ends at about 4:00 pm.  Between the driving, waiting to do labs, waiting in between appointments (no good to drive back home) clinic visit, picking up new prescriptions and driving back home is a long day.  Sounds like work! Yea! Something like that but a lot of sitting, walking, talking and people watching!  But we are used to it by now!  Love having breakfast & lunch together!  Visited the Huntsman Cancer Hospital for a bit breakfast at the Pointe Restaurant.  Nice & peaceful to look out at the Salt Lake Valley through all that glass.  Well ending this blog now our day starts all over again on Thursday for a visit to the Kidney Clinic and get more information on Noel's Kidney's!

Talk To You All Soon!

October 16, 2012

This has been the longest day ever next to Noel's Transplant.  Around 11:00 pm 10-15-2012 Noel said he wasn't feeling well and headed to the bathroom.  We heard a yell and had found out that Noel had just awoke after passing out.  Brett & I quickly gathered things together and told Noel that we were taking him to the hospital.  Of course we heard NO WAY I don't need to go.  So around 12:00 am Noel was admitted to the University of Utah ER.  He had not been eating well the last few days and when he did eat was not able to keep it down.  He had very little energy and was loosing weight day by day.  We already knew that his Kidney's have not done well and found out recently that his medications are causing the trouble.  His blood pressure was very low and immediately they started an IV solution in the ER.

Over the course of the next few hours Noel had received a chest x-ray, CT scan and pumped with antibiotics.  The ER was extremely busy so after 3 moves we ended up in the ECU (Emergency Care Unit).  They told us we were staying here until a room was available on the Transplant Floor (SSTU) (home away from home when Noel had his transplant).  Noel continued IV and after speaking with his doctors they told him he would only be able to have just clear liquids.  They explained the next day that Noel would have to have a Colonoscopy.  It is now 3:30 pm (Tuesday) Noel has not eaten anything since Monday morning.  Another hour passed by and the nurses said they were moving Noel to the SSTU Floor.  Upon arriving Noel mentioned that the room next door was the room he was in in May for his transplant.  He also said the room he now is going to stay in was graciously donated by our sister-in-law Diane Smith parents Robert & Joyce Graham.

Moving into the night Noel enjoyed his clear broth, sprite and jello for dinner.  His nurse greeted him with a surprise for dessert!  Noel would have to drink a liquid that would prep him for his Colonoscopy tomorrow.  I enjoyed my grilled ham & cheese and felt guilty eating it in front of him. I really don't think he cared especially not feeling well.  We sat and enjoyed the Detroit Tigers & New York Yankees game.  

Love those TIGERS!

Here we go again!

Rest Time!

Thanks Brett for helping out!

That brings us to a flashback of Oct. 2010.  A very busy month of doctor's appts.  Noel would have to endure shots,Stress Test, EKG, other Heart & Lung tests and the start of 5 ERCP that he would have over the course of four months to remove a stone in his Pancreas duct.  He would continue with his diabetes & hematology appts.  

Fast forward to Oct. 2011. more shots given.  Itching for Noel extremely unbearable.  More doctors appts.  Received from the University of Utah Transplant approval to be put on the transplant list.  All we would need now is our insurance approval.  The insurance company requested that Noel & I would need another physciological exam by our insurance company doctors.  This would in tell 3 separate visits along with about a 25 page test.  The month of October was another hard month for Noel.  He was really starting to show signs of slow motor skills and coming home from work totally exhausted.  On Oct. 25 Noel dressed for work and said Deb you better drive me to work.  He was shaking so bad he couldn't take his meds.  He dropped his glass of water.  He wasn't sure where he was.  He started jerking some that is when I said your not going to work we are taking you straight to the University ER.  He was admitted immediately.  His ammonia levels in his body were 198 (normal 9-33). Once again tests were preformed ultrasound and chest x-ray.  Remember the Lactulose I mentioned that helps rid the body of toxins.  Well Noel had to have double doses at this time during his stay in the hospital.  Tastes yucky as he would say but a medicine that helped save his live.  MELD SCORE 15. . .

What a stressful month of October so far for the Smith Family but know things will look brighter in the months to come.  We just want Noel to get well so he can get back on his feet again and enjoy life!

October 1, 2012
Last week Noel had (4) visits to the University of Utah Hospital - (2) Labs, Clinic Visits (Kidney & Liver) and a Blood Transfusion.  The doctors are telling us that his Kidney's are not happy right now possibly due to the rejection meds for his Liver.  So the doctors would like Noel to have a Kidney Biopsy.  Keep in mind that he has already had a Liver Biopsy as well.

So that brings us today back at the hospital Oct. 1, 2012 bright and early for lab work and then later for a biopsy.  Noel did really well after being poked a few times.  They do this procedure first with location of kidney's with a ultra sound.  With Noel on his stomach and then giving him a local shot (he is alert the whole time) the doctor proceeds with a long needle about 6" to retrieve some tissue.  He did this 3 times each time giving the tissue to a Lab Tech to look under a microscope to make sure it was sufficient.  As I have mentioned before being at the University it is a teaching & learning hospital so for this procedure Noel had 8 doctors and nurses either helping or observing his biopsy.  Noel joked and said what about charging an admission?  

Just getting started. . .

I'm just happy to be here!  Ha!  Ha!

Biopsy in progress!
Sorry about the lighting (low lights) for the doctor to see the Ultra Sound. . .

Nap Time!  
Might as well sleep since I have to be on my back for 4 hours!
(With having a Kidney Biopsy the doctors have you stay overnight in the hospital so they can monitor you for any bleeding)

Enough of the pictures!

 The Smith's will report back at the end of the week and let you know the test results of the biopsy.  Oh forgot one more thing another test for Noel on Friday at the University.  Noel has to have a Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, or EGD for short, it is a procedure used to gain more information about his esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.  They put a small tube down his throat that is a camera to check it all out.  Sounds like fun!  Ask Noel he has had this procedure a few times. . .

"GOOD NIGHT"

September 23, 2012

Here we are "4" months since Noel had his "Liver Transplant".  He's doing really good!  Started driving again the other day.  It has been a year since he has driven.  Getting anxious around the house to do things but know he can only do and lift so much.   

He has had three medications removed from his list.  Yippee!  Having labs done at the University once a week or as needed.  His kidney's have been a bit upset since the transplant and all the medication he is on.  So as a request from his doctor we will be seeing a Nephrologist this next week along with his regular clinic visit.  He also is on a special Renal/Diabetic diet to help those kidney's.  His incision is closing up nicely except for a bit of redness & tender areas that will be looked at this week.

Looking back two years September 2010 Noel has had the following:  Appointments still in full swing.  Had a overnight oximeter meter to measure his oxygen levels, a echo cardiogram and his itching still is going strong. 

Fast forward one year September 2011:  Noel showing signs of water retention in his ankles & feet.  High blood sugar readings for his diabetes.  Doctor considering putting him on a new medication to control it.  Had a colonoscopy which was good and doesn't have to have one for five more years!  Prescribed another medication for his itching.  MELD SCORE 16. . .

 Taking in lunch with Salt Lake Bees Team. . .

 Catcher - Hank Conger!

Thanks Coach for another great year!

Hansen & Lundquist Reunion

9-22-2012

Thank You to everyone who contributed putting this Reunion together.  A special Thank You to Uncle LaVar for generously donating the food, gifts & jewelry.  It was a fun morning of a yummy breakfast, games for the kids and talking with relatives.

Yard Sale

9-15-2012

Another huge success!  Thanks Joe & Amy for letting us use your yard!  Not many items left.  A few holiday items, shelves, housewares, lamp, bags & purses, end table, ski's & boots, books & clothing.  We will try to sell some items on KSL and then donate the rest to a couple of different charities including the Deseret Industries.  Thank you again EVERYONE  for your generous donations!

 Thanks Noelle for helping with the LEMONADE STAND!

 Just getting started with sales!

 Thanks Amy & Bonnie for your help!

 Noel, Lu, Carl & Noelle resting under the shade!

 A lot of clothes to choose from!

Not much left!