Dirty Dask 5K Mud Run

My friend Wendy invited Shane and me to participate in the Dirty Dash, a 5k run/walk/slip/slide in the mud. Our race time was at 9:00 am so we left our house at 7 for Soldier Hollow so we could arrive a few minutes before the race. I didn't quite know what to expect considering I had never ran in a race before. When we arrived there were lots of people in costumes and non-running getup. This calmed me down because I didn't have to take it as serious as most races are. Our team's theme was "Farmers" and our name was the "Mud Buddies."

When the race started it was a straight uphill run in the mud with full-on mountain sprinklers in the mix! It was fun, and hilarious, I have never done anything like that before. As we continued the race we jumped haystacks, crawled through barrels, sloshed through mud, climbed fences, hopped tires, and slide down water slides. It was quite the adventure. I don't expect to ever run an actual competitive race but I sure plan on running the Dirty Dash each year!

At the end of the race we were covered in mud and dirt. Shane's white shirt was changed to a lovely shade of brown. Luckily we bought our shoes at the DI, based on a tip from a friend, and we just donated them to the race to send to people in need. This was a fun experience and one I recommend!

Our Team the Mud Buddies

Getting Ready for the Big Race

Before...

After.

He's Coming Home!

Tomorrow morning Dad will be coming home from the hospital! We are all so excited and can't wait to have him back. He will still be going to doctor visits for a little while but I bet it will be nice to be in his own bed. Thanks everyone for the constant thoughts and prayers we love you all :)

Visiting

Shane and I went and saw Dad yesterday. He is doing very well. He had done some occupational and physical therapy yesterday. We took his dinner and ate in the family center room. That was a nice change and gave us a chance to all be together. Julie, Ted, Natalie, Taylor, and Mom were all with us as well. It is amazing how well he is doing after such a horrible fall and infection. Dad wants to get back to work as soon as possible but he needs to take it slow so he can make a full recovery. We are all so blessed with the progress he has made! We can't wait for the time he can finally come home. 

I mentioned that visiting hours are from 4-8, however you can visit earlier, but he may or may not be doing therapy. After 4 you are sure to see him!

Officially in Rehab

Today at about 4:30 pm, they officially moved Dad to rehab. It was supposed to be Monday or Tuesday but they were giving him some extra rest time I guess. He is doing so much better and I think will do very well, very fast in rehab. He was excited to get going and get through it, he really wants to go to work. I don't think my dad has ever spent this much time away from work so he is getting antsy "sitting around". Although, he needs the rest to get well.


Visiting hours in rehab are from 4:00 PM -8:00PM. They like to keep to this schedule because for most of the day patients are in therapy and doing rehab work. When they aren't, they are getting much needed rest.
Dad is on the second floor. The best way to get there is to go in the main entrance of the hospital and go down the "clinicals" hall until you get to "A Elevators". Take A elevators to level 2. I forgot his room number...just ask the nurse station for Don Alger and they will tell you the #.


We are all grateful for Dad and his improving health!

He's Back!

Alright so it is day 20 of this hospital journey and I am pleased to say that Dad is back! What I mean is dad is not confused anymore and actually talking like himself again! I feel like it just all of a sudden happened, Friday and Saturday he was still really confused and then yesterday and today he just started remembering what was happening. He doesn't remember anything from when he hit his head through saturday, April 30th, but he realizes he is in the hospital to get better. He also remembers things from before the accident. My mom was telling him about everyone who has come to visit, made phone calls, provided dinner, fasted, prayed, blessed, and just plain been there for him. He was so touched and amazed by everyone's generosity. Today's gratitude thought comes from dad...He kept saying how grateful and blessed he was to have such amazing family, friends and ward members.


He was also remembering things we were saying, which he was not able to do before...he would just forget things from even an hour earlier in the day. Dad is ready for rehab and wants to get better so he can get back to work! He is off the dysphagia diet which was only soft food and is now on the normal hospital food diet. I asked him what I could do to help and he said "bring something really cool up here for your dad". Haha, funny! I probably will though :) Anyway, today has been a total 180 turn from last week. When he is in rehab I am pretty sure visiting hours are only from 4-8 PM. I will check and update everyone tomorrow. I am sure he would love to see people now, especially since he will remember your visit!

Day 12 at the U..."A thousand times better..."

Quoting the Doctor, this morning my dad looked "a thousand times better!". From yesterday to today, he has made huge jumps. The doctor said they took him off some pain medication and are now only using tylonol  which is helping with the being more alert and talkative. Dad is also on two medications to "wake him up" so he is not so sleepy, and it is working! When I came in this morning he was talking, active and wanted to look at some family pictures.  He had also eaten half of his breakfast. I wasn't there when he ate lunch but Natalie said he ate all of it. It feels funny to get excited over my dad eating, but this last week he hardly ate anything, just a couple bites here and there. Dad talked on the phone with several people and held pretty decent conversations. One of my Grandma Alger's friends stopped by for a second and my dad was telling her how he was going to have grandkids, that Clay and Tiffany were expecting their first child. He recognized everyone that was with him today and knew he was at the University of Utah. He could answer all the questions from the doctor like who he was, the year, his birthday, etc. Dad actually started looking and acting like himself more today. 


His blood clot has improved by leaps and bounds and his arm is not swollen anymore. They are taking him off the heprin tomorrow and he will continue coumadin for the blood clot, that seems to be under control now. It was very positive and encouraging to see him doing so well. I think it will only continue to get better from here on out. Tomorrow he will be starting rehab and he's excited to get going on that recovery. Thanks everyone who is thinking, praying, and staying updated on dad. We appreciate all your love and support. I promise that soon visitors will be welcome to see him, probably in a few days time. 


I am grateful for the opportunity to tell my Dad I love him. His accident has reminded me how precious life can be, and how fast it can change!

"Attitude of Gratitude"...Day 11 at the U

  Today was a good day for Dad. Yesterday he was so sleepy and did not want to do anything, but today he did walk with Physical Therapy and had a couple bites of food. He was up more too.He also was able to tell us he was at the "University medical Center," yesterday he couldn't remember that detail. Keep in mind that when I say it was a good day, things didn't get worse and maybe only slightly better. When I say he was "up more" and talking, I mean talking more normal, because he isn't all the way with it, and still confused. With time, things will begin to come back!  We are all learning patience.
  The other day I was talking with my aunt Jill about what I call "Gratitude Journals". I told her about them a few years ago, after someone else described them to me, and she has now used one and had her patients use them before too. The concept is to make one entry a day in your journal about something you are grateful for, even if it is only one sentence or one word. Well, that conversation got me thinking and now I am going to take this "attitude of gratitude" and find one thing while at the hospital with my dad, that I (or someone there) is grateful for that happened while visiting with Dad and write it in my daily blog entries. That way we can share these fun thoughts and maybe all appreciate our lives a little more while traveling on this journey we didn't (especially my mom and dad!) expect to take. 
   Today I am grateful for the Hukilau Beach in Hawaii. Why? Well, today Dad said something I didn't quite catch except for the last word "Hukilau". This was interesting because the other day I showed him pictures from our Hawaii trip when we went to Hukilau beach. So I showed him the pictures again, he halfway watched the picture slideshow and halfway listened to me talk about it, but I think he enjoyed it. Even though he can't express it, I think he remembers that trip now. About an hour later, out of the blue he says again "I want the Hukilau" so this time Natalie showed him the pictures and he just watched and listened to her describe our Hawaii photos. Whatever this means, I think it's progress!
   That blasted infection totally set my dad back because he doesn't have much of an appetite and gets tired easily (partly from the infection and partly from the head injury). The doctors are giving him medicine to make him more awake, which compared from yesterday, seems to maybe have worked. We are thinking by next week he will be doing some rehab downstairs, floor 2, of the University Hospital. I think therapy will help with talking and remembering as well. Keep going Dad!! You have a lot of fans cheering you on!

Day 10 at the U

Today is basically the same for Dad so not much to update on. Still sleepy but the Doctor's say that is normal for a head injury. His arm with the blood clot is getting less swollen and looking better. Also,we have decided to have him do his rehab at the U Hospital. For a little while we thought we might transfer him to St. Mark's, but the U has more experience with head injury and has more intensive rehab. He probably won't start that until sometime next week or so. 

Day 9 at the U

Today was a great day for Dad. He has been on this constant one-on-one with a CNA always in his room, however today they moved him to a different (and bigger) room with a camera in it instead. He had the one-on-one because he was so impulsive and agitated all the time, but he has calmed down and now the doctors feel he doesn't need that. There is a CNA that watches the camera, and a nurse always close by. Dad is graduating to being more self sufficient! He seems to understand more that he needs to get better and stay at the hospital. Also, when the intern neurological doctor came in, he did a bunch of observation/tests and said dad was "sharp" and doing well. He made me feel good and think that Dad would pull through and recover, like we always say, it will just take time. 
The doctors also started him on a heparin drip and another mild blood thinner. They feel that the risk of internal bleeding in the brain is very low because it had been 15 days since the injury and his injury is stable now. It was kind of a catch 22 because the blood clot, if not treated, could break off and go to the heart or lungs. We feel all decisions being made have been good so far. He is very tired and doesn't want to eat very much either, however the Doctor said this is because some of his medicine he is taking mixed with his injury has caused his sleepiness. They are going to take him off of the medicine that is making him sleepy (I think they were to calm him down, but he is calm now) and give him medicine to "wake him up" to be more alert for therapy etc. Also, dad had looked a little jaundice or yellow, because when he got sepsis his liver was affected, but the liver is healing and his color is coming back, which is fabulous.
We are very optimistic and feel Dad has made progress. He kind of back tracked for a week with the infections, but is slowly fighting those off and getting healthier. 


**Also, to set the records straight, all doctors, nurses, and CNA's know my dad is diabetic.

Day 7 & 8 at the U

Yesterday and today have been about the same for my dad. He did physical therapy today and walked around the hospital floor he is on, he also did a few mild exercises. He is very tired and the doctors told me it was because of the brain injury and probably also the infections he is fighting off. Dad isn't as aggressive and doesn't try to leave the hospital or ask us to take him home anymore. I feel like he is starting to understand why he has to stay at the hospital. He still can't remember things from the day before (a form of amnesia the doctor said) but he can read cards sent to him, recognize people who come into the room, ask questions and answer most questions asked by the doctor.
It is very rare to have people with a brain injury like my dad's and also a blood clot. The doctors are watching it and doing what they can with it. Currently we would ask that only family members visit my dad because he is "not himself" and sick. However, I will keep this blog updated for when it is a good time to come see him. Thanks for all the support!

Day 5 & 6 at the U

So I apologize for not posting progress yesterday because I know several of you who are following to see how my dad is doing. Currently he is very sick, from the infection. He can talk and eat and stuff, he just gets tired easily. He is in a unit called "acute medical attention" where they watch his medicine for the infection. The doctor examined him today and saw some scab things on his neck, possibly staff infection, they are looking into that as well.
They were going to put a filter in my dad's arm to stop the blood clot in case it travels, but it has the danger of breaking off as well. It is a fine line with the blood clot and my dad. They can't give him blood thinners because of the head injury and the filter option could break off or cause more infections and he is already so sick. The current standing is to monitor it closely. The doctor did say that blood clots in the arms are better then the legs and have a less chance of breaking off and traveling to other parts of the body.
Please Please Please keep praying and thinking of my dad!! We love him and want him to get better. Deep down inside me I believe he will get better, it will just take time and I am not very patient :)

Day 4 at the U

So are you ready for this? The infection was Sepsis! I didn't know that until today, I guess I am oblivious to some things and in most cases that is probably good. Well they are treating it, and it is totally under control now, but Thursday it was pretty scary, life threatening (as if the head injury isn't bad enough). Today he seemed better. The nurses and doctors have ordered him a room outside of ICU but he most likely won't move until tomorrow. This new room is just a step down from the ICU so they can still keep an eye on him. The blood clot is being well monitored and will most likely dissolve on it's own, he must keep that arm rested and not move it too much.
Dad was talking a lot today and reading some cards people have sent. He really wants to go home and doesn't fully understand why he has to be in the hospital 24/7 yet, however he is more willing to comply and listen and doesn't try to "Escape" nearly as much. He is getting "more with it" but is still a little confused. 
We hope to see continual progress, keep him in your thoughts and prayers!

Day 3 at the U

Thankfully today my dad's fever had gone down and he was at a normal temperature. Also his blood pressure was back to normal, it had dropped really low yesterday. He has an infection that they are treating with antibiotics, he seems to be responding well. Hopefully he will be out of the ICU when the infection is totally gone, probably by Sunday or Monday. He still has a blood clot they they are watching closely and treating as best thy can, they can not give him blood thinner because of the injury. 


He is still alert and talking well. They did a CAT scan and things had improved so that is good. We hope to have good news again tomorrow.

Day 2 at the U

Today was a harder day for my dad. He did a great job in the morning with physical therapy, but this afternoon did not want to participate. After I left he had also pulled out (entirely this time) his catheter. They were going to remove it today anyway. I am assuming that did not feel good. They also found a blood clot in his arm. They are currently working on that situation. He also had a fever that has since gone down. Because of all this he has been moved to the ICU again :( Will this ever end!!! Hopefully. I am not impressed with the U so far. In fact, maybe it is IHC I am unhappy with because they are the ones who said he was ready for rehab, obviously not. 


Visitors are only to come from 4-8 pm and two at a time for now.

University...GO UTES!

Dad was transfered to the University of Utah hospital today (good thing he's a ute fan;)  ). At approximately 1:30 he arrived at the U Hospital via van, and was taken to the rehab floor. Today was an "introduction day" you might say. He was asked some questions about his health history and given a room. At first he was sharing a room, but aunt Jill would not have that! (Thank Heavens because sharing the room even for 3 hours was miserable.) He was taken to his own private room where he now has his own bathroom, TV and visitor space. Thanks Jill for having friends in high places at the U Hospital, sometimes it's all about who you know. 


While I was there, he was getting his new room. Then he took a little nap. When dinner arrived he was served mashed potatoes, a roll, chicken, pudding, and corn...it was all mashed up though, he can't have "regular" food until he is given the official test that says he can swallow normal food. Hopefully that comes soon because the only items that looked appetizing were the roll and pudding. Maybe after only having one solid meal (yesterday) in a week though, it was good? Hopefully! 


He will be doing rehab exercises for 3 hours a day now. He will have a physical, occupational, and speech therapist. He will be here for 2-3 weeks we have been told. It could be longer, but that is just what we are looking at right now. 


One funny comment...when we asked him what he was drinking for dinner (obviously pink lemonade or fruit punch) he said "Jack Daniels High ball"! He was trying to be funny and throw us off...he sure did! Dad doesn't drink but this head injury sure makes him say funny things! I haven't added all that he says though, because one day when he reads this I don't want him to be embarrassed :) Dad is on the road to recovery!

Out of the ICU

Today my friend Whitney Fowlks called me, she works at the hospital on floor 11, and said she was getting a new patient...my dad! Hooray! He was moved out of the ICU after being there almost a week. Because my parents insurance is not accepted at the IHC hospital (it was while this was an emergency in the ICU, but not now) he will most likely be transfered tomorrow or Thursday to The University Hospital. I went and visited around 3:30. Dad seemed more alert and talkative. He read out loud several "get well" cards that were sent to him, he would not have been able to do that two days ago. Later it was dinner time and they actually gave him regular food! He can only have soft food but ate Lasagna, soup, and some green beans. I am sure that tasted great after almost a week with no food except for a feeding tube.

Since he has a brain injury he still says some really funny things, and is impulsive with his language. However, we have seen TONS of progress. Each day he acts more and more like Dad but it will just take time, patience, and practice to get back to being Dad. His personality is not yet back to "normal" but it's getting there. When asked how old he is, he responded "40-17" which is 57 and which is also one of my Dad's regular jokes. We are thrilled to see such improvement.  Thanks for the continual thoughts and prayers for our family. Stay tuned for tomorrow's update...

24

Today I turned 24. Besides the fact that I feel like I am getting old, it was a good day. My dad was talking more and seemed to be improving. He swallowed some ice on a more regular basis! This may sound like something strange to get excited about but a few days ago he couldn't swallow and he was so frustrated he couldn't have water (it was very hard to watch) so this is good news. I enjoyed eating dinner with the family and Megan and Whitney. Thanks to everyone for all the love and support. This will be a birthday to remember!

The Fall volume 2

My mom and I were up at the hospital this morning. Today he is having a better day then yesterday. He was able to remember it was my birthday! That was a great Birthday gift. He also smiled and laughed at a joke...making him seem more like dad. He had the occupational therapist in today helping him with hand eye coordination and writing. The physical therapist also took him on another walk and various other exercises.
Today has been a good day so far! Mom and I are headed back up to the hospital soon. We are celebrating my birthday in the hospital cafeteria, everyone is welcome! :) Don't get too worried, the food there is awesome and well priced. I am excited to spend the time with family and friends.

The Fall that started it All...

On Wednesday, April 13th, my dad fell and hit his head at the Sports Mall gym while coming out of the whirlpool. No one saw him fall but several men heard him. They ran to him and could not find a pulse or see him breathing. After about one minute of CPR he was breathing again. The men called 911 and he was rushed to the hospital. At the IHC emergency room it was determined he had a skull fracture and concussion. When he was taken to the ICU later and after two CAT Scans we were given the information that he had internal bleeding on the brain as well, and there was nothing we could do but hope that it stopped. Mom and Aunt Julie stayed at the ICU all night while the rest of us tried to get some sleep (ya right). 


After a long and very stressful night we returned to the hospital. There was to be another morning CAT scan, however he was doing better neurologically so it was postponed to the afternoon. The afternoon CAT scan reported the bleeding had slowed (so there was more but not too much) but there was hope it had stopped. Thursday was a very looooooooooong day; lots of waiting, thinking and worrying. However, the main event that stood out in my mind was the ward fast. I say ward fast but I know other people (Kristen and family in Missouri! and others) who fasted and were thinking of us as well. There was an overwhelming sense of love and comfort abounding the room. It was a peaceful memory (one I hope we don't all have to repeat often!) and it was, as Tom Coleman said, what the Gospel is all about...coming together, serving and loving others.


Friday and Saturday we saw progress. Dad started recognizing people and remembering things such as the gender of Tiffany and Clay's baby, the date, the month, asking for water and other little phrases and sentences. He had physical therapy and the physical therapist and nurse helped him walk around the ICU, had him kick specific legs (he knows right from left), and had him sitting in a chair, etc. Physical Therapy lasts about 30 minutes a session. He was also able to brush his teeth and swallow little bits if ice. He currently has a feeding tube. Today he wasn't doing worse, but not better either, just the same. The CAT scan reported little change from before. The bleeding has stopped and is in a central location. We are waiting for swelling to go down. He told me today when I asked where he was, "hopsital" and when I asked why he was here he said, " I had an accident". It still quite isn't registering because he still tries to get up out of his bed and leave, but it is progress!


We have been told that with a brain injury the healing process takes time. There will be good and bad days. This is not an over night recovery, but one that may take several months. Some time will most likely be spent in a rehabilitation center. We are all hopeful that my dad will continue to make progress and slowly come back to being normal dad. Thanks for all the thoughts, prayers, and kind gestures that have been given to our family at this time. We are truly appreciative and blessed with such great family, neighbors, friends and loved ones!


Being in the ICU has truly humbled me and made me realize what a blessing it is to be here, today alive and living! To be able to tell your loved ones you love them is a miracle. "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all!"

Natalie and Taylor say "I Do"

On Monday, March 21st, Natalie and Taylor got married in the Salt Lake Temple. The adventure started at 5:30 AM when I woke up to do Natalie's makeup. Natalie then went to get her hair done. Later the rest of the family  headed to the temple. I fretted ALL morning about the weather because the weather man forecasted "Rain, rain, rain and more rain" all day. I think I was more worried then Natalie. However, the weather turned out, no rain, and great pictures! (Don't ever believe the weather, it was supposed to snow on our wedding day...totally sunny, but cold). The ceremony was beautiful and Natalie and Taylor started their marriage off on a great start! After the ceremony and pictures (minus rain!) we went to the Joseph Smith Building for breakfast, which was delicious. I was designated to give a small toast, as Natalie's sister, to the happy couple. I pulled it off, even with only a 10 hour notice :) After the breakfast, and after the new married couple mysteriously disappeared for a few hours, I went home and took a short but needed nap. At 4:00 we met Natalie and Taylor at Heritage Gardens for family pictures and then the reception. The food was WONDERFUL. I am a fan of mini baked potatoes now. Anyway, there was dancing, cake cutting and eating, and of course just happy rejoicing. It was a fabulous evening and one I won't forget, but more importantly, one Natalie and Taylor will always remember.

My Very First Blog entry Ever. Get Excited.

So I have heard good things about blogs but have been resisting because of time and because well, who is interested in reading about my life? For this point I am nervous. I am going to give it a try though and I am going to include Shane in this, not only because he is my husband but because I included his name in the title of the blog :) Maybe he will add to it but I am going out on a limb here and saying he probably won't...and that's OK. I can handle the job of updating the world (via blog) about our lives. I guess I will add some pictures to this or something--but here is my problem--isn't that what Facebook is for? I now have two things to add pictures to and await comments for? And now I have to ask for followers!!! I am going kind of crazy right now. I don't know how long this blog will last...However I heard you can print these out professionally and make them into books. That is intriguing and makes blogging a good and fun way to journal.

Our cute family!