Dear Friends,

I am going to take a minute this morning to update you on Scott but also to thank everyone.  We have seen and felt such an outpouring of love and support that we are overwhelmed with gratitude.  I will not be able to probably physically thank everyone for their prayers, thoughts and help right now but I hope to someday.  We just thank you and ask daily blessings upon you for your service and thoughtfulness to our family.

Now for an update.  Scott's surgery on his leg was postponed until sometime today.  Scott has made his wishes known through a will and verbally for a long time now.  He is DNR, so there is a chance that he will not make it out of surgery.  His breathing is a challenge.  He was intubated before I arrived on the scene Sunday.  He also has other life supportive measures, like a feeding tube.  With all the medical help his breathing is okay but in a moment of clarity with Scott when he was in pre-op with the pain meds and sedatives down he communicated to me that this is not what he wants.  So, if he makes it through the surgery, we will be pushing to get him extubated (spelling- way off but taking the breathing tube out) as soon as possible.  I do not know the timetable here but we would love for him to come home and pass away not at the hospital  but at home with Hospice.  I do not know at this point.

Well,  there it is without any sugar coating. On a side note, both Hayden and HeartLee have come down with something, possibly Strep.  They are both on Anti-biotics but they have not been able to go to the ICU.  Hence, the postponed surgery.

But I want to end on a more uplifting note.  I have experienced several "tender mercies" from the Lord this past week and longer.  I  do not have time to share all here but I do want to mention one. Yesterday morning  I felt impressed to attend the temple.  It was a beautiful day and I received such a peace that I did not want to leave.  I took Scott's mothers name to the temple (she passed away over a year ago and was not a member of our church).  That was a special experience but in my attendance I meet a friend of the family from several years back.  She was very comforting but it goes beyond that.  It was not a coincidence for her husband is in the medical field and works in hospitals.  He showed up at the ICU right after a very discouraging conversation with a medical staff trying to get answers.  He was able to explain  things better to me.  He took the time to answer my questions and spoke with the nurse to get a bigger picture of what is happening.  But most of all he gave me the courage to make these tough decisions and how to not be "bullied" by the medical professionals.  Yes, they could "save" Scott's life. Medicine has come a long way to do that but to what quality of life and if this what Scott wanted.  I will be forever grateful to him and his wife but ultimately to my Father in Heaven sending an "angel" when needed.

Again with thanks,
Dessie