Today we lost a beautiful soul.

Today my beautiful mother in law passed away.  Georgetta was a one of a kind woman she took me in and treated me just like one of her girls.  She will be dearly missed and remembered forever.  Georgetta was there to cheer me on through nursing school, she came to take care of me after my gallbladder surgery and was there to hold my hand when my own mom passed away.  I could not have asked for a more kind and loving mother in law I hit the jackpot. 

From the first day I met her I knew she was full of love for her family.  There is nothing she wouldn't do for them. And let me tell you it is a big family.

This picture is from reunion a couple of years ago.  This is not all of the family just a chunk of us.  

Georgetta was proud of all her family.  I always viewed her as fun loving she wanted to go on many adventures in her later life.  She went of a few cruses and a couple of trips to Europe.  I think one of her favorite things to do was Country Jam expectantly to watch Sawyer Brown.  Lee and I were lucky enough to take her to a Sawyer Brown concert a couple of years ago in Saint George.  

We had so many fun times and words cannot say how much this lovely lady has changed my life.  She will forever be missed.

Family Reunion  we always had such a great time.

She was always up for an adventure.  

Face time with Lee when he was in the hospital, Donna adding filters.

Georgetta always wanted to see and cuddle all the new babies  This is Hanna she could hardly wait for us to get there and we took off to see this cute little bean.

Grandma and Wyatt at Dee and Jeri's wedding.  She sure loved all her grandkids.

Family Dinners and games were always a hit.

I believe this was at one of the many wrestling matches.

Having a fun Easter gathering.  I love that she wanted to play.

Georgetta sitting at Lee's bedside when he was in the hospital she just could not stand seeing one of the kids sick or hurt.

Christmas at Georgettas was always the best, just fun times with family.

This was at Raimee's bridal shower it looks like Joetta is in trouble.  

She was watching the slide show at Dilon's graduation.

Hanging out with Jesse and Wyatt at Raimee's wedding.

Time for chicken soup at Bonnie's house.

There are so many pictures and memories that I could never wright them all down in one sitting.  Georgetta will be dearly missed.  We will love you forever and ever no matter what.

Eye surgery struggle

On April 8th Lee had an appointment with the ocular surgeon ,  Lee was approved for surgery he was super excited.  Lee has struggled with seeing for the last several months and it has taken a toll on his mental health.  On Friday April 12th Lee had a follow up with the liver team.  We found out that they are not wanting to reactivate his listing yet.  The liver team wants him to follow up with the neurologist to make sure that the swallowing issue does not have a neurological aspect to it. I know that they are super worried about Lee aspirating again although the two times that Lee aspirated was while procedures were occurring.    The liver team also did NOT want Lee to have eye surgery.  This made Lee super upset neither one of us could understand.  The ocular surgeon felt extremely comfortable do surgery and that there is a very little risk of surgery.  With it being later on a Friday I didn't feel like there was much we could do.  On Monday morning I called the eye surgeon and asked him to call Dr. Gilroy with the liver team.  I finally heard back on Thursday that the decision was made that Lee could have his eye surgery.

Lee will have his eye surgery on April 23rd.  Lee is so excited.  Lee also has an appointment to have his denture realignment so that he can eat a little more he is looking forward to eating a steak.

Febuary and March updates

Luckily February was fairly uneventful. At Lees appointment on January 31st everything was good Lee got permission to take all of his medications by mouth so they would not cause him to have so much stomach pain instead of going through the feeding tube.  For some reason they always made him dry heave through the tube and this had been super miserable for him.

There is also a plan in place to dilate Lees esophagus in the near future.  Paracentesis on 2-6 5900 ML of fluid was removed.  2-11 Paracentesis with 5000 ML removed.  

Febuary 12th Lee needed to have blood once again  this was done in the Utah Valley out patient Infusion therapy  Lee just loves that I take his picture so often.

At least he doesn't hide his face.  Sadie also thinks I take to many picture.  She was sitting with Lee so cute after we got home.

Lee spiked a fever and was feeling really bad on 2-13 the Liver team wanted him to have another paracentesis to check for bacteria,  This paracentesis only removed 1900 ML out.  

On 2-15 Lee had an appointment with Dr. Pisani who preformed his Tips procedure.  After an ultrasound was done the doctor was really happy with how everything looks and is working.  Lee also had a paracentesis on 2-20 and 2-26 each time removing 3-5 liters of fluid.  on 2-20 Lee also had an esophogram it showed that Lee still have some eesophogeal emptying issues.  On 2-26 Lee had another unit of PRBCs.  

Througout the rest of the month of Febuary Lee continues to get much better after he started eating small amounts of Puree foods, he liked mashed potatos, pudding, Jello, soups and especially my Cauliflower soup.  I received this recipe from my friend Sara who has a food blog.  https://eatdessertsnack.com

Cheesy Potato Cauliflower Soup

Cheesy Potato Cauliflower soup can be make stove top, slow cooker, or in an instant pot. It's a great fall and winter family recipe that's quick and easy!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword 30 minute dinner, Cauliflower Potato Soup, Slow Cooker

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 6

Calories 357 kcal

Author Sara

Ingredients

• ¼ cup 1/2 stick butter
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 1 head cauliflower cut into small florets
• 4-5 medium potatoes peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces about 4 cups
• 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1-2 teaspoons salt, to taste
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 oz. cream cheese
• 1-1/2 cups milk

Instructions

1. In a large pot, melt butter and saute chopped onion until soft.
2. Add cauliflower florets, chopped potatoes, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and chicken broth.
3. Simmer on medium heat for 20 minutes, until potatoes and cauliflower are tender. If making in a slow cooker, cook on high for 4-5 hours. 
4. Remove from heat and use immersion blender or potato masher and blend until mostly smooth, I like a few chunks left. You can also spoon into a heat compatible blender and blend until smooth. 
5. Stir in cheddar cheese and cream cheese until melted. Stir in milk last. Add more salt if needed to taste.
   

   
   

March came in with another appointment with the liver team, all is the same nothing has changed we did get Lee scheduled for his EDG with dilation on 3-19.  The first week of march Lee has struggled with some encephalopathy issues.  I finally got his settled down with the help of his Sadie girl.

March 12 I took Lee to the eye doctor come to find out the high dose of steroids can cause cataracts.  Back in September while Lee was intubated he was given high doses of steroids to help his Lungs heal after he aspirated contrast.  He has a follow up appointment with on ocular surgeon to see if he is a canadate for cataract surgery, with his liver failure he is at high risk for bleeding so sometimes things like this will not be approved we will just have to wait and see with the next appointment.  3-14 Lee had another ultrasound of his liver and lower esophagus before his dilation the following week.  3-19  The day has finally come that Lee was able to have his esophagus dilated.  Everything was successful.  The dilation was perfect there was no leaking and the contrast moved into his stomach in a timely manor.  The ulcer that was there in January was healed and gone Lee could not be happier, he is ready to eat an elephant, although he has to  stick to soft foods at this time. 

 3-20 While the test were being done to look at Lees esophagus it was noted that his PICC line was once again in his internal jugular.  An appointment was made at American Fork hospital to have it looked at and readjusted.  They were able to power flush it and reposition it.  

On 3-21 I took our car in to the shop to get fixed it broke down before Lee got sick in September so it was a long time coming I an so happy to have my car done it makes me happy because it was my moms car that I got right before she passes away. So there are a lot of memories that are attached with that car.  Lee also had a appointment with the dermatologist  he has been super itchy the last little while, he also had a mole that was painful on his back so he was told that in general liver failure patients just itch it is the toxins leaching out through his skin.  He was given some cream to rub on and a medication that the liver team said he could take only if it did not affect his encephalopathy which it did so he had to stop taking it at this point.  Lee has been doing super well with eating he ids trying to stick with eating soft foods but at times a hamburger calls his name. My sister Cathy and her husband cane for a visit on 3-28 and on the 29th (my birthday) we took Lee for his final swallow study that showed good emptying into the stomach.  We went to Lehi mill to get Ed some bread flour and to Ikea jut to look around it was a fun day.

 These picture are from a few years ago it was the first time we had ever went to the mill that was a fun adventure too.  We always find something fun to do when my sister comes to visit  These are some of my favorite pictures Lee didn't think I was that funny even before he was sick.

 Cathy and Ed stayed through the weekend we ate at Red robin for my birthday dinner.  The next day we adventures to Uncle Sam's military surplus store and to Target to get some treats that they cannot get back home.
That night we went out to the movies to complete my birthday celebration We went to see Dumbo I totally enjoyed the Movie.  Lee seemed to enjoy himself also.

Lee did not need a paracentesis the entire month of March his last one was on 2-26, the liver team was able to restart his diuretics and his kidney function has been stable. His blood levels have also been stable so no more blood transfusion since 2-26 .  We are hopeful that everything is now settling in and will remain stable. We hope April will bring great things we look forward to Lees follow up with the eye surgeon and getting put back on the transplant list.  We hope Lee will continue to improve and life will get better and better.  Lee is still working with PT, OT and speech therapy at home and getting stronger every day.