New teeth

For the longest time Lee has had dentures. We invested in a new set for him not long before we moved to Provo.  Unfortunately they never did fit just right. I was looking for a dentist or dental lab to get them re fit just before he was hospitalized last September.  Since then he has lost weight and did not wear them while he could not eat.  Since he has stated eating we made an appointment to get them rebased.  I was able to fund a place that was a dentist and lab together and it had same day service.  I made the appointment and unfortunately we had to be there at 8:30 in the morning.  We are not morning people.

Lee kept falling asleep in the dentist chair.  I think they were getting a little annoyed that he could not stay awake, but that was the way they made the appointments so that the denture could be delivered later the same day. 

They did a good job rebuilding Lees denture it will just take some time for him to get used to wearing them again.  This is where we went.

https://www.affordabledentures.com/office/american-fork/?utm_source=GLOCAL&utm_medium=American_Fork_UT_MAPS&utm_campaign=YODLE

Good day to end the crazy week.

On Saturday I had the privilege to attend and pin my friend Abby as she graduated with her BSN. It has been the first time that any of my friends or co-workers have asked me to pin them.

From the time Abby and I first me we were friends. She eventually started calling me work mom. Although she moved to Provo two years before me we stayed in touch. I was truly honored that she asked me to pin her. Here is a little history in the nurse pinning.

                                      In the know: The history and importance of the pinning ceremony

Stressed Out Nurses Weekly, May 10, 2010

The pinning ceremony is a time-honored nursing school tradition. Often more personally meaningful than the graduation ceremony, it signifies your official initiation into the brotherhood and sisterhood of nurses. The ceremony is rich with symbolism. The history of this right of passage can be traced all the way back to the Crusades of the 12th century. During this time, the Knights of the Order of the Hospital of St. John the Baptist tended to injured and infirm Crusaders. When new monks were initiated into the order, they vowed to serve these sick soldiers in a ceremony where each monk was given a Maltese cross, the first badges given to those who nurse.

The modern ceremony dates back to the 1860s, when Florence Nightingale was awarded the Red Cross of St. George in recognition for her tireless service to the injured during the Crimean War. To share the honor, she in turn presented a medal of excellence to her brightest graduates. By 1916, the practice of pinning new graduates was standard throughout the U.S.

 It was fun seeing Abby we had not had the opportunity to catch up since I moved to Provo.  After receiving her diploma for graduation, the pinning ceremony began  I was so proud.  After the pinning the graduate nurses and all RNs recited the Nightingale pledge it goes as follows.

Nightingale Pledge, 1893

I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practise my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping, and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavour to aid the physician in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.

This was a fun and great way to kick off nurses week.

New Liver or NOT

While we were traveling to Georgettas funeral on April 25th we received a phone call that Lee was now reactivated on the transplant list.  What a great thing to happen among such sorrow.  On May 1st we received a phone call that there was a offer for a liver for Lee.  We were just heading out to the movies so we turned around and headed to the hospital in Murray.  We got all checked in and ready for surgery.  All the test got done, chest xrays EKGs and the works.  While waiting I noticed Lee's tongue.  His newest obsession has been Popsicles. Apparently the last one he are before heading out was green like Kayleen said channeling his inner HULK.

Finally the time came to take Lee to the OR.  We were taken to pre-op holding the anesthesiologist came in and talked with us and laid out the plan.  We had asked for a blessing and the Elders showed up right before the surgeon arrived. When the surgeon arrived he deflated all hope.  He explained to us that the team that harvested the liver had cut the artery too short and had nicked it very close to the organ itself.  This made the liver damaged beyond repair.  In repairing it there would be a 80% chance at embolus and that would block blood flow to the liver and cause worse damage than his current liver and it was to high of a risk.   So we turned around and came back home.  Lee's sisters had a great response time. Thanks ever so much to Joetta and Jesse who dropped everything and headed out to the hospital.  Thank you to all our other family and friends that have sent prayers our way and positive messages we could not keep on this journey without all your love and support. 

To Duchesne

On April 25th  we headed out to Duchesne for Georgetta's funeral.

Georgetta Clark Ivie, 86, died on Saturday, April 20, 2019 in Duchesne, Utah at her home.
    She was born on July 31, 1932 to George Albert Clark Jr. and Mable Chatwin in Tabiona, Utah. She was the 6th of 13 children.
    Georgetta married Delmore Ivie on March 11, 1950 and later solemnized in the Salt Lake City temple for time and all eternity on October 14, 1955. They lived in Strawberry, Utah where they had 7 of their 9 children before moving to Duchesne, Utah where the last 2 children joined their family.
    Georgetta worked for the Duchesne County school district food services for 22 years. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, making ceramics, working in the yard, coin collecting, completing complex puzzles and traveling. She was outgoing, adventurous, loving to all and loved to try new things at least once.
    She is survived by her children Jessie and Ron Johnson, Letha and Brad Hyde, Linda Reynolds, Joetta and Dan Mathews, Norman Dee and Jerri Ivie, Donna and Cody Stewart, Bonnie and Randy Andreasen, Leland and Jimmi Ivie and Kayleen and Joseph Jeppesen; 44 grandchildren, 84 great grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren; her siblings, Trent Clark, Rava Giles, Ted Clark, Judy Gardner and Joene Olson.
    She is preceded in death by the love of her life, Delmore (Jinks) Ivie, both parents, 8 siblings and 2 grandsons, Russell and Robert Johnson.
    She was a very small lady with a great big heart, she was loved by all who knew her and will be dearly missed.
    Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Duchesne 1st & 3rd Ward Chapel,  130 S. 300 E. Duchesne, Utah. Viewings will be on Friday, from 6:00-8:00 Saturday from 10:00-10:45.
    Burial in the Strawberry Cemetery.


Although it was a hard trip to make it was great to see family. We just spent time sitting around the table that was the fashion at mom's house we always sat around the table and just hung out played games and visited. It was the last time we all will sit around the table at her house and visit. We even wore Lee out and he needed a little nap sitting by the table.

 The viewing was nice we were able to see lots of faces we have not seen in a long time. 

Lee's sisters did a wonderful job picking out all the things for Georgetta.  The coffin and flowers were beautiful.  This was the inside lid when anyone would leave her home the last thing you would see was Georgetta standing at the door waving bye several years ago she starting waving with the american sign language symbol for I love you.  

The funeral was beautiful.  Georgetta's daughters spoke and touched base on all the wonderful things that Georgetta did in her life but the best thing of all is tha love she gave to her family and everyone she met.  She was a shining star that everyone flocked to.  She was a woman of great faith and only wished the best for everyone around her.  

Lee did great throughout the ceremony, although a little weak on his feet we had wonderful help throughout our stay from our brother in laws and our nephews.  

Lee's siblings and spouses.

Lee wanted a new hat for the funeral but was not able to wear it at the grave side because of the wind.

Just a quick shot before we changed after the services.

We went on a walk, this was the walk that Georgetta always had the girls take her on.  Even when she was so sick she wanted to go walking.  It was not a short walk but it was good to get out and get so fresh air.  

Eye Surgery

On April 23rd Lee went in to have the cataract removed from his left eye,  we had to be there at 8 a.m. for you all that know us we are not morning people so that was our first struggle.  We arrived and got all ready for surgery and they put drops in Lee's eye to dilate it for surgery.  It was a little freaky.

Lee did fairly well through out surgery.  They just used mild sedation so Lee was fairly awake although does not remember the procedure.  Dr. Lloyd was the ocular surgeon he came in after Lee was in recovery and said it was one of the most interesting cases.  Lee just would not hold still. Lee is just not a sit still kind of guy he is always moving and often even taps his foot while he is sleeping.  The doctor said "it was like doing surgery on a roller coaster."  it may have been on a roller coaster but it was successful and all went well. 

Lee is happy with the outcome and is looking forward to getting the other eye done May 28th.  It will be good to have him be able to see well and be able to do a few things that he enjoyed before.  

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.