Round 2

Sept 16.  Gary started coughing & running a fever so back to Kahuku Med Center we went.  Dr. Hughes prescribed an antibiotic but he continued getting worse.

Thurs. Sept. 19 we went back down to Castle Hospital for another Cat Scan & MRI.  He was diagnosed as having a rare type of pneumonia which blanketed both lungs. His oxygen level continued to decrease. They had to put him on a ventilator so he wouldn't die.  This was heart wrenching for me to see him laying there in an induced sleep & unable to talk with him.  I have  never seen so many tubes & attachments. Once again the PICC line was inserted in his neck.

The missionaries were so kind. Sister Cooper and Sis. Maples came almost daily to check on us. Several called & would travel down to Kailua to see us. I was so grateful to all of them.
Our kids & family members @ home fasted & prayed for us.  I knew I was receiving special help to ease my worried mind & help me with driving the 45 min curvy road back & forth daily.

Tues. Sept. 23 - A special fast was called in his behalf. The entire PCC office fasted for him. All the missionaries fasted. All the "Blue Shirts" (including Maui, Raymond & Pita (his mechanic buddies) were fasting & praying. Shirleen sat with me the entire day & crocheted some hot pads she later gave to me.

That night Robyn & Ranay arrived. What a treat to hug those beautiful daughters!!  Maples picked them up from the airport & brought them right to the hospital.  Wed. was another day of waiting & praying for some miracle. At one point they thought he might have tuberculosis so we were required to 'suit up' so we didn't catch it too.

The miracle happened on Thurs. when the ventilator was removed with no complications. Gary was still on oxygen & very weak but the medications were finally helping his lungs heal.

 He was moved out of ICU the next day. Tony, was an excellent nurse who helped him start walking.  The hospital doc. Thought he was pretty comical as he made several jokes, calling the U. S. Pres. "O Bummer".  It felt wonderful to finally laugh!  

One afternoon, we sat @ the beach while Gary was sleeping.

Sat.  Night - Ranay, Robyn & I went to Mindy Gledhill Concert @ PCC Was hard to be joyful as we knew how weak & sick our dad still was. I was so thankful to have my daughters to share long days, drives & nights with.

Retail Therapy

One day during the 50th anniversary celebration week, I was feeling sad that we would be going home soon, so Sis Cooper & Sis. Radzik & I walked around the PCC looking at special displays.

I was so impressed with the beautiful carvings on display.  There are several carvers.  Pulotu was an amazing "Master Carver".  Check out the intricate details.

I found a vendor selling fresh water pearls. I've always wanted a black pearl ring so I fished for an oyster & pulled out a dark navy blue pearl.  It means "wisdom".  Happy "sad day" to me.

 

50th Celebration Parade

Sat. Sept 7 culminated the week long activities with a parade. It was pouring rain but Coopers picked us up. We waited in the car & the sun shone just as the parade passed by.

Russell M Nelson was in Hawaii. He came to dedicate the new BYUH educational building.

Leandro, Gary's working partner was in the band. 

Elder Maples float was beautiful with tons of fish blowing bubbles.

 Our sweet single missionary sisters rode the tram bus. 

Even the horses wore gorgeous flower leis. 

The "Blue Shirts waved to Gary & later honored him with a "Blue Poly Lympic  Shirt" & blue beads.  

Even the Cackle Fresh Egg Farm  shop was represented. (Used to buy eggs here)
Gary was exhausted so we went home & rested.

PCC 50th Anniversary

The first week of Sept was the 50th Anniversary of the PCC.
I was fortunate to be able to attend many special events. Denis (Elder Cooper) didn't want to go to mist of them so he would go sit with Gary. Sherleen & I would go together to see all the musical performances.

 
I never tired of watching the hula dancers perform. The little girls are so graceful & pretty with beautiful black hair.  

The trees @ the PCC were decorated with metal charms that sparkled in the sunshine
When we went to the talent show, flags were carried in from every country that was represented someway @ PCC. The faculty members of BYUH performed an outstanding musical number & were dressed up like the "Men in Black". Pres. Grace is quite the dancer!

 
Sherlene & I got tickets for the Golden & Silver Luaus.  They were fabulous.

Haircut & Cont. Recovery

Aug. 22. Thurs.
Elder R decided it was time for a haircut. Eugene volunteered to come & trim his hair so it wasn't lopsided any more. It was kind of like a little party. Coopers had come to visit so we were all giving directions how he should look.

For the next 2 weeks, several missionary couples visited.  Coopers came each evening, always bringing a fun surprise. Maples bopped in often. Elder Przybille came many times during his lunch hr.  Elder Mikits came  in the afternoons Robinson's, Nielsens, Walkers, Cardnos, Waites, Swensons, Freis & many others. They brought dinners, & yummy treats. We were so blessed to have such great friends.

After being In the hospital for a week, Gary was able to come home & sleep in his own bed. I would take him up to Kuhuku for the PICC line antibiotic each morning @ 10 am.  He tried to walk daily to build his strength up. He struggled. Was too hot to walk outside so we sometimes went to the Aloha Center. One time we went to Kanohe & walked in the mall.

Sept 1 was  last day for the PICC line treatment. We were glad to finally have it removed Sept 5. We struggled finding Dr. Wongs office. What a challenge to drive in Honolulu. Gary didn't enjoy having me drive!!!  We still had to wait for the brain to heal before we could fly home. Elder Pollock called daily because the church was putting pressure on him to get us home ASAP.
I was sad knowing our mission would soon be ending. I Didn't Want To Come Home!!

Recovery Round 1

Thurs. Aug. 15.  I took a break from hospital & went back up to Laie. Nice to sleep in my bed. Gary improved each day for the rest of the week. I slept on my little hard bed for 4 nights. Shared meals with him. 

Sat. Night,  Eliu & his wife brought dad his fav. drink, Mt. Dew then returned the next am (Sunday) with the sacrament that had been blessed. It was such a sacred experience to partake of those tiny pieces of bread & water.  He told us he had been prompted during the night to return to the hospital with the sacrament. He then gave both of us such a wonder blessing of healing & comfort. This was an experience we shall cherish forever.

 Mon. The PICC in Gary's neck was removed & a new one put  in his right arm. This was amazing to see how this procedure was done with ultrasound. We thought we were going home but were told he would have to remain in outpatient care for 2 more weeks. I was so upset!!!!  More prayers were answered &  Finally got to bring dad up to Kahuku Med Center on Tues.  We made the trip in 45 min. Little traffic.  Was so thankful to have him only 7 Min. from our apt. 

 Aug. 20. Tues.    Kahuku Med. Center was a great recovery hospital.  Gary had his own private little room. The nurses were awesome to give him his I V antibiotic each am. He was served pretty good food. We walked the halls each day several times & eventually went outside. (Came across a lovely large cockroach one time who was also roaming the ancient hospital halls) We especially enjoyed visits from missionary friends. Was wonderful to go home each night to sleep. Soon I was able to take Gary home for a few hrs. each day & by the next Mon. he was back home in his own bed. Yeahhhh. Finished up all the I V treatments by the following Sun. Aug 1. 

August Trauma

AUGUST TRAUMA
During the first 2 weeks of Aug.  we both suffered from sinus headaches.  Mine settled in my ear & I temporarily lost hearing my left ear.  I'm very protective of my ears since I only have hearing in  my left ear.  I went to "The Country Doc."  He diagnosed it as swimmers ear ......NOT!! Called our reliable Doc. Jeff @ home & he prescribed medicine for me.  We traveled to Mililani - Costco to pick it up. It was a good cure.

Elder R has suffered from sinus infection since we arrived on the Island. He went to a Kahuku physicians assistant & they prescribed Amoxicillin 500 mg. for him.  It seemed to take the edge off but he had to discontinue use after a week because of diarrhea. Headache returned more intense. Each day he got weaker & was suffering from Heat Stroke (we thought).

Aug. 8 - Thurs. he stayed late & worked on car brakes.  Came home so sick. I kept treating him for heat stroke. Sat night our Missionary friends administered to him. Thought he would improve but by Sunday he was worse so took him to Kahuku Emergency Room.  They thought he had meningitis & sent us to Kailua Castle Emergency Center for further testing.  They did a cat scan & MRI. Diagnosed his headache as a possible Tumor (likely cancerous). Whatever!!!   Scared me to death. By 1 am Monday we had been transferred once again. This time to Queen's Medical Centre in Honolulu. The neurosurgeon, Dr. Graham talked with us & said it could be a tumor or cyst on the brain. Put him on IV's of antibiotics & steroids to help with infection & swelling. Sunday night was the absolute longest night of my life!

We will be forever grateful to very dear missionary friends: Maples-Coopers-Mikets. They transported us & were with us during these difficult 2 days.

Elder & Sister  Maples were sure a little Mt. Dew in the I V would help.

We called on family & friends for fasting & prayers. We had all our family prayers; Missionary prayers, Ward member prayers, Temple prayers & so many many more. Faith was exercised & stretched.

Wed. a.m. a procedure was performed by Dr. Graham.  He bored a hole in Gary's skull. Thankfully there was no tumor. The abscess  was drained & a biopsy was sent for lab tests. The biopsy revealed it was a Strep Virus & possible fungus. Prescribed medication was ceftriaxone & vancomycin & many more for pain etc.

Gary tried to keep his sense of humor through most of this trauma.  Even joked about his new "Blue Shirt Uniform" & his fav. Nurse the other Kathy.

We were honored  to have Pres. Grace from the PCC.  Our new Mission President, President Warner also come to visit us.

Many Prayers were sent & answered from me. Never thought I would be able to drive the 1 Hr. trip from our little apt to Honolulu through the big long tunnel. It's a gorgeous drive if you're not nervous of either falling in the ocean or off the steep road!!!   But I made it safe & sound every time. Someone said "If U get lost, just keep circling the Island!"