Friday, November 21, 2008

A week and a half later

Well, it's me again, Justin. I thought my blog updating duties came to an end when Susan came home, but she still doesn't feel well enough to sit in front of a computer. She spends most of her time sitting in the lazy boy chair sleeping and sipping on high calorie concoctions, and nibbling on other high calorie dense foods. I wish I could say her healing situation has improved by leaps and bounds since a week and a half ago, but it seems to be moving at a snails pace for Susan. More like a really slow roller coaster, with all the ups and downs. She had been eating well, for most of a week, but the fluid continued to build up around the bowels which is painful and made it hard to eat because there was no room for anything else, which also makes the #1 and #2 functions more difficult. She hasn't said anything about how much detail I include in the posts, but I wonder how she really feels about me painting this mental picture for you about her bodily functions? Who knows how I would feel if I were in her shoes, but I think it's a good thing for everyone to know what to pray for. By the way thanks for all your prayers. I know there are many!! By the looks of the map to the right they come from all over. I got off topic. Because the fluid in the peritoneal sac, she was unable to eat or get comfortable, so today we went to the hospital to get it drained again. The last time was about two weeks ago and they removed 2.5 liters, this time they only got out 1.5 liters.... "only". Doing this brings immediate pressure relief, but it also brings a different pain soon after as the bowels readjust, which has been almost unbearable today. :( Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

I also need to make mention of the Undy 5000 which was a huge success for the cause and for our Team! Thanks so much to everyone who came out and supported us. It was awesome to see so many there sporting the "Super Susan Semi Colon Friends" shirt. The picture of Susan flying in her cape and underwear was not a photoshopped picture, except for the flying through the sky part (she can't really fly). In college her and her friends actually dressed up like that, undies and all, and took pictures while they jumped superman style onto a bed. That's what track girls do on weekends in college I guess. How fitting of a picture though, she must have had a premonition.



Talking about praying above and the Undy 5000 reminds me of someone who stopped me as I was walking (woddeling) back to my truck after the race. As I was about to leave I was stopped by a lady who introduced herself to me as Robyn. She said she knew a common friend of Susan's (Natalie) and, also, knew a common friend that we met at the Mayo hospital (Kim Miller, cool story that I need to wright about and soon will, I thought I'd leave that for Susan, but it looks like I may be doing it). Robyn's family and friends were wearing the Polyp Patrol shirts.... Almost as creative as ours :) JK. We spoke for a minute, during which she let me know that she and her family and friends had been praying for Susan, even though they hadn't even met her. They had heard about her and her condition from Natalie, who also knows Kim, who has almost the exact diagnosis as Susan's. Sorry if that's confusing, but it was really nice to hear that so many people are praying for you Susan, even people we don't know.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Susan and Justin

Hang in there! The healing will take the time it will take...we want to tell our bodies what to do, but when they won't listen...

Just sent prayers for healing and that you will experience the peace of the Creator today, this minute.

Heidi said...

Thanks so much for the update, Justin. I know that there are a ton of people checking in on the blog, so I am sure they will be SOOOOOOOO grateful to hear any news. So sorry this is not going as planned. We are praying for you both!!! We love you guys!
Heidi :)

Mike Steph Brooklyn and Carter said...

I have friends of all faiths in Hattiesburg praying for Suz. They are always asking me updates on how she is and I know some of them are checking out her blog frequently like we do. We CONSTANTLY are thinking about you guys and have been praying that Susan's pain will be taken away. I know she is such a strong girl but I am sure she can only handle so much, hopefully that is where prayer and fasting can step in. Thanks for keeping us updated it's so nice to know what's going on and what to pray for. Please send her our love!

Brad, Briene and Brayden said...

You are ALWAYS in our prayers and we will continue to pray that your pain will be lightened and that your body will heal. There's not a day that goes that I don't think about you, your sweet husband and family we love you guys so much! Sending you lot's and lot's of love! Also thanks Justin for the updates.

thearringtonclan said...

Hi Justin... Maxine here.. We can hope that through Prayer she will at least find some relief... It is worrying I am sure that it is taking so long...BUT all will be well soon... You guys are constantly in our Prayers... have they thought about a temporary colostomy? so that her insides can heal better? Mathew feels for Susan soooooo much.. He at least was in and out within a week.. We sure have our different trials don't we but keep your chins up and know people love you both and praying for you....

Gail said...

Susan and Justin,

Thanks so much for the updates Justin. We are continually including you in our prayers. Participating in the Undy 5000 was a very inspiring experiance. Someone came up to me at the race and asked if we were hospital employees, since our group was so huge. I told them about you Susan, and their comment was, "Wow, she has a lot of friends and a lot of support!" That is very true. I hope that you can feel that love and support at this frustrating time in your recovery.

I forwarded race pictures to many of the Mortensen Family, but I did not have e-mail information for many of the others. If anyone is interested here is a link to the pictures.

http://picasaweb.google.com/mort2050/Undy5000111508#

I know I didn't get pictures of everyone, but I did try...

Keep on keeping on.....
We love you!
Gail and Kent

Andréa Morrow said...

we went to the temple yesterday and I put Susan's name in the prayer roll.. Tati's even starting to add Susan into her prayers along with "bless my kidneys."

Unknown said...

Susan will continue to be in our prayers! Thanks for doing these "small" things for her. (and us :) It's those small things that make such a difference!
I only wish that jerk of a nurse realized that!

Sheri Lee said...

Hey Justin, This is Sheri (Lee) Packard from high school. DAn Gould is in my ward and told me about what your sweet wife is going through... I recently had a dear friend pass from similar circumstances (though it sounds like her treatments are working better than his). It just hit me really hard to hear this about you, and I wanted to tell you that I will be praying for your sweet wife, and also for you, because this is the hardest thing I can ever imagine going through. I read through several of your posts, and you have the best attitude. Thanks for the great example, and I really hope and pray that things get better for you!

Kim Miller said...

Hey Justin...it's the common friend from Mayo, Kim Miller. The Lord definetly had his hand in us meeting the way we did. Susan and you are so strong. I know that with us being young we want things to happen NOW...on our agenda. We have to believe! Susan and I will both make it!!!!! We will WIN!! We just need to trust in the Lord. He will only give us as much as we can handle. He just really trusts us right now. Give her hugs from me. As always you both are in our prayers.
Kim Miller

Melanie said...

Like you said many people that dont even know Susan are praying for her, me being one of them but knowing you and your family is more then enough reason. I am constantly looking for updates and hoping they are good. Justin and Susan you have been a great example to all us. Keep up the fight. I pray the pain will go away soon.

Heidi said...

Hey Justin, can you pass this info to Susan when she is alert...:)
I dropped a lil' thank you by to Kathy (from Stowebridge) today for the awesome shirts. While we were talking she mention that all the kids in her church class that she teaches are always praying for "Mrs. Turley". :) Just thought you'd like to know. ;)

Kyle said...

Susan...I hope you are feeling better soon!
I am praying for you!
Thanks for the updates!