* Noel Smith *

Saturday, May 26, 2012

5/26/2012 - Doctors visit around 10:00 am...Expressed that Noel was doing very well and the thoughts that he maybe able to go home Tuesday. They put him on a regular diet that includes low sodium, low fat and low sugar. They also wanted another IV line removed. His drain tubes maybe removed Sunday.

Look no superman cape or IV cart. Upgrading to leg warmers and pants. Marathon walk this time to 2 Laps around the SSTU Floor this morning. Doing good Noel! Thank you for your help again Physical Therapists your job is so appreciated...

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With things in Noel hospital room a bit more quiet today we have had some personal time to discuss our thoughts on his transplant. As we have had over two years to plan for this big day our thoughts & emotions have hit highs and lows. Our thoughts today are very somber, heavy hearts and with tears in our eyes for the donor family. This family has donated such a wonderful gift to Noel (a Gift of Life). Our family feels their pain and sorrow for their loved one they have lost. With our lost of Chad in 2002 we look back that we never had the opportunity to donate any of his organs or tissue. With all the sorrow, sadness and now excitement we have gone through we have explained to our family & friends to please get registered to be an organ & tissue donor. You may one day get to help a terrific person like Noel and give them the most wonderful gift of all the gift of LIFE.

http://donatelife.net/register-now/

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Thanks Paul for bringing Mom for a visit...

Papa is happy to see Makenzie & Makailee! Thank you girls for wearing your masks around Papa...

Look at these cute Get Well Cards from Makenzie & Makailee...

Thanks Kelly & Kristin for bringing them to see Papa!

Another marathon walk around the SSTU Floor...Thank you Evans Family!

Hi Noelle & Amy! Thank you Noelle for using your mask and coming to visit Papa...

Thank you Carl, Lu & Geno for visiting today...

Thank you everyone for your visits today we appreciate and love you very much...Thank you again for the darling get well cards kids! A big thank you again Makenzie, Makailee & Noelle for wearing your masks.
* Good Girl's *

Goodnight Family calling it a early night tonight after the basketball game! Noel is doing great and ready for bed early...

5/25/2012 - ICU/IMCU

It's marathon time again with the superman cape. Thank you Erin for all your help while Noel was in the ICU and IMCU...

Thank you Chris & Sarah Hansen is was nice visiting with you today. Thank you also for the nice get well soon card for Noel. The yummy food basket is just what I needed to help me get through the long days and nights at the hospital.

Thank you John Barlow, Carl & Lu Hansen also for your visits today. Way to sneak out on me without getting your pictures taken. I'll get you next time.

As you can see Noel is doing so well that he can sit up for a short period of time after his marathon walk. His best buddy (the pillow) comes in handy when that unexpected sneeze or cough comes on.

Thank you to all our visitors who came to see Noel in ICU/IMCU ...

While out for a bite to eat Noel escaped on me from the ICU/IMCU to the SSTU 5th Floor. He thought he would pull a fast one on me.

Noel would like to share his new incision with you. The dark is foam like covering and the tube is a drain. As you can see he has lost a lot of mass in his stomach. Hopefully no more paracentesis (draining fluid from the stomach) to go through and infusion. Lately he got to be a regular in radiology & infusion clinic's.

Noel visitor's on the SSTU 5th Floor

Good job Jackson & Brooklyn for wearing your masks! Papa & I are proud of you and thank you for visiting him. Thank you Nicole for bringing them.

Sorry Brett we missed your game the other night. A big thank you to our family members who help support you when dad & I couldn't be there. Thank you for coming to visit Dad...

Thanks Kelly & Kristin for your visit...

Well I'm packing in for the night friend's it's getting pretty late! A lot of excitement with Noel doing so well again today. Thought I would spend the night in Noel hospital room since it is a lot bigger room than the ICU/IMCU...

Friday, May 25, 2012

5/25/2012 - Well this is a HAPPY DAY for me (Deb)... My wish for my BIRTHDAY came true. Noel Liver Transplant!

Removed some of the antenna as the Doctors would say from the Mac Line on Noel right side of his neck... Sowly they are removing IV lines...

Visit from Larry - Transplant Recepient & Volunteer...

Another marathon for Noel with Physical Therapist Jennifer...Check out the U slippers & the Superman cap...

Lunch is stepping up a notch. Soup, Cranberry & Orange Juice, Milk and yes I believe it's ice-cream on that platter! Yummy!

Visit recently from Dr. Campsen. Noel is being moved from the ICU Floor to the Transplant Floor. He still is astonished how well Noel is doing. Kidney function seems to be doing good as well.

Thank you Amy & Noelle for the Skype visit...

5/24/2012 - These pictures of Noel are less than 24 hours after his Transplant. The doctors tell us he is doing exceptionally well today. We can't believe as a family how fast he is improving. No more itching!

A marathon for Noel today. I can't believe he's up and about. Thank you physical therapists for your help!

Our cute Grand Kid's visit outside Noel room...Jackson wants to know again PaPa are you taking your Lactulose? Papa says no remember Jackson I don't have to take that anymore...YEA!

Many heartfelt THANKS from the Noel Smith Family to Dr. Campsen and the University of Utah Transplant Team.. .

Another wonderful visit from Gordon - Transplant Buddy Volunteer...

My First Meal! Yummy! Broth, Jello, Apple Juice & Sorbet. Not the Root Beer that's for Deb!

. . .to our visitors today Kristin, Nicole, Amy, Jackson, Brooklyn & Noelle - Pat (Transplant Social Worker) - The Transplant Team - Janet (Transplant Coordinator & For the Goody Bag) - Gordon (Transplant Volunteer & Recipient of Transplant) - Carl & Lu - Duane & Linda - Paul

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

3:45 pm - Carl and Lu came to visit!!!

Gordon Woods

Liver Transplant Volunteer

Duane & Linda Smith Visit

9:00 pm - Moved Noel to another room and then removed the ventilator ...
No more itching and Jackson says no more Latulose...
Goodnight Noel! See you tomorrow...
We Love You ! ! !

5/23/2012 - Received a phone call at 2:30 am from the University of Utah Transplant Unit. They have a liver for Noel! They want to transplant by 7:00 am. I woke Noel to tell him tears of joy flowed or both of us. Noel called John Barlow to come and give him a blessing. John Barlow & Alan Hague gave Noel a wonderful blessing - Thank You! Noel wanted Nicole to cut his hair before we headed to the hospital. Yes she did cut it as you can see! Arrived at the hospital by 2:30 am. They immediately started prepping Noel for surgery.