Lynda Ann found this and sent it to me.

Because Emmi is attending BYU in the fall, I thought it would be fun to post this paper that Annie found and sent to me.

Notice the date and notice what her goal was! 

Emmi’s High School Graduation

It was fun to be a part of the celebration for Emmi’s achievements as she finished out her high school years.  Because Neal was sick and didn’t feel like going out, we had dinner at our house so that Neal could be included.  The original plan was to meet them somewhere for dinner, but plans changed.  I tried to make the room as festive as I could.  Everything blue and white!  I knew there was a reason I bought blue and white china, I just didn’t know at the time!

After dinner we headed up to the Huntsman Center for the graduation services.  Emmi had the honor of presenting the spirit awards and reading all the girls names as they stepped on stage to receive their diplomas.  Because Emmi was reading all the names, she was the last one to walk across the stage.  My little camera just isn’t powerful enough to get a picture of her but we took lots after the services were over.  The first four pictures are getting ready for the ceremonies.  And the standard picture with Gam and Pa.  Always a must!  Jeff’s dad flew in from Spokane for the occasion.  It was good to see Richard.  Oh yes, and notice how excited Andrew is to be there!  I have to say he sat there through the whole thing and didn’t squirm or make a peep.  I think the only thing he said to me was, “Can’t they get this thing moving?”

Some other fun pictures:

Recovery comes slowly

Jeff, Mindy along with Maddie and Grayson came over to visit with Neal and to take a dip in the pool.  It was such a beautiful evening that we all went out on the patio and enjoyed Pa’s flower pots and had a nice visit.  Mindy informed us that she was going in the hospital next Monday for a hysterectomy.  We certainly wish her a quick recovery. 

Neal and were going to the hospital for a blood draw and he wanted me to take a picture of him now that most of the swelling has gone down in his stomach, legs, ankles and feet.  This surgery that was supposed to be an easy and quick recovery has not turned out to be anything like that.  But, we hope we are making some progress each day.  At this point he is starting to get some of his energy back but we still have other problems that need to be conquered!  If you look closely you will see what his other problem is.

The BYU / UTAH bet!

I have to admit that I lost and my punishment is to put the Ute sign on my Jeep.  And it has to stay there for a whole week.  I just want Tucker to know that I got my Jeep washed just for the occasion and went home and slapped that ridiculous sign on the only place on the Jeep that there was room for it!  Seriously, Tucker, could you have found one any bigger!!!?  Now, to be fair, I have to admit that I put it on last Thursday and only had the Jeep out of the garage Thursday, Friday and part of Saturday.  That evening we admitted Neal to the hospital and I’ve been in his car ever since – soooooo – I will honor the week and will start it officially again when I’m back to driving my car.  I just can justify saying I accomplished the task when the Jeep sat in the garage 90% of the time.  Just want Tucker to know that I’m finally getting around to it!!!  I get so much flack from my comrades at work!!!

Pay backs are just plain ROTTEN!!!

A Rough Memorial Day Weekend

Last Thursday (a week after Neal’s surgery) he noticed that he was gaining weight.  He started out at 195 lbs. and each evening as he weighed himself he noticed that he was going up in weight and not able to go to the bathroom significantly.  The evening of May 21st he weighed 217.2 lbs.  He had gained 22 lbs since his surgery.  The next evening, the 22nd he weighed in at 220.4 and May 23rd 224.6.  I took Neal to the ER and they said that he was in kidney failure and would need to go to the intensive care unit.  But before they sent him up they drew some blood, did an EKG and an Eco Cardio Gram, X-rays on his bladder and kidneys, and determining that his bladder was full beyond capacity they put in a catheter.  Just while we were in the ER waiting to be transferred to his room, they measure 1 gallon of liquid that had drained from the bladder in a 45 minute time period.  When the blood test came back they said his Creatin was at 16!  The normal is 1.  He was in acute kidney failure.  For the next two days he was monitored and had blood drawn every four hours.  We are happy to report that his Creatin is now down at 1.5, his sodium level and electrolytes are at a normal range and his weight down to 197.  I brought him home this afternoon and he is sleeping comfortably.  He still has a catheter and will have that for a couple weeks to make sure the bladder shrinks back to it’s normal size. 

Some pictures of him and the view from his hospital room.  The first picture he wanted me to take to show how full of water he was.  The second picture is of him in the ER being told had seriously ill he was.

Of course I texted all the kids to let them know what was going on and how serious things were.  Tucker text me right back and said that he wished he were here and I told him that I did to because I could use some of his humor to get me through this.  He immediately sent me a couple jokes which I will chose not to blog and this picture that made me laugh the hardest because it looked just like Neal's feet!  No exaggeration.  Tucker said, “Keep me updated on cabbage patch grandpa!” 

Below, the view from dad’s hospital room.  Amazing to look down at the helicopter pad.  I tried to get a picture of it taking off and landing but was never successful. 

I’m happy to report that he is doing better and better each day.  We have to go tomorrow for a blood draw and then to see his Urologist to see when he can take out the catheter.  That will have to be monitored to make sure that he is able to empty the bladder. 

Dad was given to incredible blessings.  I am so grateful for the power of the priesthood and for the men who hold and honor that priesthood and are worthy to act upon it.  I am so grateful to my mother who accepted the gospel, joined the church and taught me the truths she did. 

Emmi’s graduation announcement

How exciting to get this darling granddaughter’s high school graduation announcement.  We are so proud of you Emmi and all you have achieved through your high school years and your life so far.  You commitment to the gospel, standing up for your standards and staying true to yourself is an inspiration to us all. 

Another proud moment for proud grandparents!

Emmi graduated from Seminary tonight.  Neal was not able to go to the services because of his surgery so I drove out by myself.  It was a very nice evening and I was proud to see Emmi walk across the stand and receive her diploma for four years of seminary.  She was also asked to give the opening prayer for the services.  We are proud of all your successes Emmi.  You are amazing!  Thanks for inviting and including us!

My seminary graduation diploma is signed by President David O. McKay.  That was in 1962.  So long ago!!

Neal’s surgery and very slow recovery.

Wednesday evening Neal call Craig Cannon and Dan Patton to come over and give him a blessing prior to his surgery scheduled for Thursday morning.  Bro. Cannon sealed the blessing and Bishop Patton gave Neal the most beautiful and spiritual blessing.  How grateful we should all be for the Priesthood.  What a blessing it is in our lives.

Thursday morning we got up at 5:00 and prepared to leave for the hospital.  We were supposed to be there by 5:30 a.m.  We went out to the garage, pushed the garage door opener and nothing happened.  I pushed it again and it went up about 8” and then back down again.  We did this a few more times with the same result.  The garage door would not go up.  Neal pulled the pulley down to release the door so that we could lift it up.  We both tried to lift the door but could only get it about 2’ and then it would not budge.  After trying numerous times we realized that we were prisoners of automation!  Neal called our friend down the street but he didn’t answer.  And as Lynda Ann said, “No call at 5:30 a.m. is good!”  So, then Neal called our home teacher Craig Cannon who also lives in the complex and he came right over and drove us to the hospital. 

Neal went into surgery about 7:30 for the Seeding Implants of radiation in the prostate.  Dr. Lee and Dr. Middleton both came to the waiting room to talk to me and tell me that the procedure went well.  Neal was back to his room about 10:45. 

He was, of course, a bit loopy and asking all kinds of repeated and funny questions.  I was grateful to have Lynda Ann there to help me remember all the things that the nurse went over that we were supposed to do and what to expect when we took him home.  They released him about 12:15 and Annie drove us home.  She had been up all night working but somehow found the energy to be with me and Neal.  After we got Neal settled in bed we left and ran to the store to get his RX’s filled and grab a couple other things. 

Today is Saturday and it has been a rough two days for Neal.  He has experienced nausea, pain, soreness and all kind of inconveniences that you can figure out for yourself.  Wednesday evening (before his surgery), he made a trip to Western Gardens and bought all the flowers for his patio planters.  He did that thinking that by Thursday afternoon after his surgery, he would be up and going and well enough to plant!  Of course, he couldn’t plant them Thursday.  Friday morning, he was so worried about the flowers that he gathered enough energy to go out and get almost all of his flowers planted.  I don’t usually get involved in his planting but spent the whole time with him running and gathering what he needed so he didn’t have to move and lift.  I felt much relief when the last huge pot was planted.  If you look closely you can see the pain and discomfort on his face.

We were scheduled to go to Mexico this next Wednesday morning.  We have called Ron and Judy and had to bow out of that commitment.  I’m afraid this is going to be a hard thing for him to recover from.  I’m guessing at least two weeks before he starts feeling good and starts getting some of his energy back.  This is really hard for him because he is a very active individual.  Sitting around is just not his forte’.  I’m grateful that he had this done during his long summer break. 

All of you children need to remember him in your daily prayers.