The medical folks seem genuinely delighted. Everyone comments how well she is doing at the moment. A couple of Iv lines have been removed today. These were not your garden variety lines.
One in the wrist was arterial and had been a real bother, often leaking and making a mess. the other in the side of the neck with enough plumbing parts to rough in a small home.
Emily is down totwo IV sites. One in the right forearm and the other her port( this is the permanent IV access that is a small receptor placed neath the skin in her upper chest.)
She is way less tangled up now. Appetite is pretty good.
She is starting to feel well enough to use her laptop a bit . Emily read mails and looked at the blog. This is a very good form of therapy. keep up the good work. Pain is in check.
Peg and Nicky will strt posting soon.
Keith
keith
Emily,
ReplyDeleteWe'll miss you at PAC tonight but I'm sure you'll be the center of conversation as we work. Hope to have you back at the meetings before too long.
Cheers,
Miriam
Emily and family, keep up the good work! Everyone at Gervais is keeping tabs on the blog, so excited for you! Even though you only worked here a short while, you are still considered family.
ReplyDeleteOn a personal note, I am so very proud of all of you. Reading your father's posts, I can get a glimpse into where your reserves of strength and humor come from. I can't wait to see you again. I wish I could be among the crowds traveling North to see you, but I can wait my turn.
You are amazing, beautiful, and inspirational. Keep it up, lovely.
Holly
Hey Em, so glad you're not so "wired" anymore. Ben just read all the posts and just shook his head, unable to fully grasp all that you've been through. He says "Hi" and sends his love. Maybe one of these days he'll get out to see you! Can't wait for Peg and Nicky to post their stories of the last 4 days. I can't believe it's been 4 days!!!!!!!!!!!! What a feat you have accomplished!! Stay strong and enjoy all that jello!
ReplyDeletelove you guys,
Nita
Hey Emily,
ReplyDeleteMe and Poppy have been keeping up with your progress through Daisy and Oredia. They call everytime there is a new blog and Daisy and Sherry have printed them out and brought them to me so I could read them myself. I am so excited that you are doing so well. I look forward to every new blog and more good news. WE LOVE YOU.
NaNa and Poppy
Emily,
ReplyDeleteYou may not remember me, but I am your cousin Paula. The last time I saw you, was at Aunt Mary and Uncle Delma's during Thanksgiving 2006. Aunt Oredia has sent me an email about your transplant. This is such a miracle!!!! You looked great then, I bet you look just fantastic now!!! I have read your blog information and sounds like you are coming along just fine.
All our prayers are with you,
Cousin Paula
So glad that some of your hardware is off and you're walking a lot, in just 4 days. I loved the 'morphine when you need it machine'. They told me I couldn't take it with me when I left. I guess I was enjoying it too much. And, jello...what's your favorite flavor? Red is great, orange is good, blue is odd, green or yellow is usually seen at a picnic with fruit or veg (?)in it. I have to admit, all this talk about jello and I bought some today to toast you with. Red.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Michelle
The fact that the doctors and nurses are amazed Emma is doing so well so quickly, is simply because they didn't know her very well before, I'd say. They weren't aware that if it could be done, she'd be the one to pull it off. Keep up the good work girl! And you too parents. (And Nicky)
ReplyDeleteEmily, Keith and Peg, I and the entire community are so with you and are frequented with spontaneous tears of joy, gratitude, pride, awe.... Life is full of wonders, thanks for sharing your wonders with us all. You all inspire us. Cheers, my heart is with you, Tom & Meer
ReplyDeleteEmily, here's a joke to cheer you up!
ReplyDeleteWhy Women Should Never Take Men Shopping!
After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to
Target. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to
get in and get out. Equally unfortunate, my wife is like most women - she loves
to browse. Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local
Target.
Dear Mrs.Samsel,
Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in our
store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you
from the store. Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Samsel, are listed
below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.
1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other
people's carts when they weren't looking.
2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute
intervals.
3. July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the
women's restroom.
4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice,
'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away?. This caused the employee to
leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in
turn resulted with a union grievance, causing management to lose time and
costing the company money.
5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&Ms on
layaway.
6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the children
shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from
the bedding department to which twenty children obliged.
8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and
screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?' EMTs were
called.
9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror
while he picked his nose.
10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the
clerk where the antidepressants were.
11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the
'Mission Impossible' theme.
12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look'
by using different sizes of funnels.
13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled
'PICK ME! PICK ME!'
(I LIKED THIS ONE ALOT HA HA!)
14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a
fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'
And last, but not least:
15. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then
yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here.' One of
the clerks passed out!
stay strong!
Nita:)
Keith, I read the "lost post" and appreciated all the detail you put into the desciptions. The imagery - like all that is going on- is incredible. Thank you for sharing it. Your analogies are witty and hillarious; my favorite is " .....a pleasant thumping noise sort of like dinosaurs chasing wounded prey through the jungle." How on earth did you come uo with that?! :>)
ReplyDeleteToday in yoga class the teacher said to honor ourselves for all the effort we put into the postures. I thought: I know some people to pass that on to: you, Emily, Peg, and Niki: honor your selves for all the effort each of you has put into this. Blessings to each and every one of you. We are holding space for you within our hearts. Dave and Kelly.
Emily!
ReplyDeleteThis is Michelle Corona again. I am so happy to read about all your progress!!! It sounds like each day brings new and welcome challenges and fewer tubes ( I love the descriptions your dad wrote about the walks!)
I think of you very often and am so glad to read each post with each new accomplishment; what an amazing journey!!
Take care of yourself!!!
Michelle
Hi love!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the pain is lessening and that walking is going well! Jacque was supposed to come through London last night on a layover... but never showed. Hmm, not sure what happened, but oh well.
I'm going to take Nita's lead above and start posting entertaining things for you to look at, now that you're back on the computer!
These videos are all super cool! But especially watch the one that is #2 "I want you to want me" - it's beautiful and really interesting:
http://flowingdata.com/2008/12/19/5-best-data-visualization-projects-of-the-year/
Love you! Brooke
Jim and I are so excited about your progress, Emily. You are an amazing person...and It's easy to see how you've inherited gifts of good spirits and positive life-approaches from your father. Our thoughts and hearts are with you all. Our PAC won't be the same until you return! Keep taking those healthy strolls! Julie Aspinwall-Lamberts and Jim Ellison
ReplyDeleteem, I have three messages for you from your Auties:
ReplyDeleteEmily, you don't know what it means to us to hear from you like we have and to know the worst is over and how glad and thankful we are for everything. We all love you and think about you and, like I told you at the Birthday Party, how glad I was we were all together and you met all your cousins. We will think about you and pray that you will have full recovery and come back to see us. You have the best in a Mom and Dad and your Grandma and Grandad love you so much and too bad they couldn't see you more. All your Monfort family love you and the best to you, Keith and Peggy.
Aunt Doris
Emily, Kathy has been bringing all your blogs down for us to read. Can't believe! We love you and our prayers are with you for a "speedy recovery!" Soon as you are able we will meet you at your Mom and Dad's beach house. We love you, Katie
ReplyDeleteEmily, how happy we are to hear from you and your family and what you have gone through with. Our prayers are constantly with you. Hope you can come back to the country one day. We love you. Aunt Jewell
ReplyDeletehey em, we continue to be impressed with and grateful for your progress. Keep up the good work! Keith and Peg, I hope you've been able to sleep in a real bed by now!
ReplyDeleteLove you all, Kathy
Emily,
ReplyDeleteWe were so excited to hear your news from Adrienne the other day - and now we know where to get the news first hand. This is such an amazing thing - and you are doing such an amazing job of working your way through everything. We are astounded and so happy for you and your family. I wish there was a way we and so many others could help - but you're doing just fine!
Peg and Keith - you've got a strong one there. I guess you know that. Make sure you let her help you through the hard times as well as the good ones. And enjoy all these little successes together - it's amazing just to be together! We hope to see you all soon back in Eugene.
Cheers and best of luck,
Kip and Sally (& Adrienne & Kinsey)
Emily,
ReplyDeleteYou are an amazement to me. I am in awe of the way you handle the obstacles that come your way. It is always an inspiration to me to hear about your attitude towards life and the smile you keep on your face even through experiences others can't possibly imagine. I think of you often and use your enthusiasm as motivation and inspiration in my life. Thank you for that. Keep up the good (amazing) work and recovery so you can really truly enjoy the benefit of clean lungs! Continue enjoying your walks around the halls!
Best wishes,
Lauren
Wow!! Look at all of these great posts!!
ReplyDeleteJust reminding you that I love you and am constantly thinking of you and the family!
Keep up the amazing progress!!! You are doing fantastic!
Love, Cousin Erica
Hello!
ReplyDeleteThis is Henry Kammerer from Hillstomp! I wanted to stop by and send my very best wishes. What you are going through must be a tremendous challenge. I can only imagine the strength you will have gained as you come out of this. If there is anything in the world we can do for you, as a band, or just as a couple of smelly guys, please let us know.
You're in Seattle right? We play there on Sat. night. I know you can't be there this time, but I promise to dedicate the set to you. And before you know it we'll all be back in beautiful Eugene dancing the night away together! Peace and Love..... Henry
I can't stop thinking about the wonderful progress you're making with your new lungs. I also can't stop thinking about all the things we use to do to ourselves! Remember the beeswax in the hair trying to make dreadlocks? Oh man, that didn't turn out so hot, I remember it being a little painful to get out...
ReplyDeleteand of course the unforgettable nose piercing!! What a fun phase of life we shared together Em, thank you for being so you!
I just got pink eye, so as soon as that is all cleared up and you're ready for visitors I'll be there! Please let me know if there's anything you'd like me to bring when I come to visit, something from the outside world?
Alright babe, keep up the great recovery and I can't wait to give you a hug!!
ash
Ok, this was an email I sent Emily and it's kinda long but Keith asked me to post it, so here goes:
ReplyDeleteFELICITACIONES!
That's congratulations in Spanish, (I wanted to say SOMETHING different from what everyone else must be saying and the rest of this email will probably be all the same stuff, so... there ya go!)
I can't tell you how shocked/excited I was when I got your email about the phone call and quick flight up to Seattle. I was expecting a long, impatient wait for all of us and then all of a sudden you are there, in the OR, getting new lungs. What an incredible feat, Emily. I wish, (but I don't really) that I could feel what you are feeling now- how it is to breathe in a new set of lungs when you are so used to those old, dirty, mucous filled ones you have been using for the past 25 years. Does it feel clearer, cleaner, or just the same but with less work? Or does it just feel painful.... Probably the latter, at least for now.
I'm so impressed with your attitude and spirit throughout this process. And not only THIS process of getting a lung transplant but this entire process, from when I met you in Edison, through Roosevelt and South Eugene and on through college. I have never seen you as anything different from anyone else. You played soccer, ran track, went to Activity Nights and all night graduation parties. You have always been a social butterfly and I continue to forget that you live with this gruesome disease everyday of your life. But at the same time you have also always been so open about talking about CF and spreading information to anyone who was willing to listen. For me, being incredibly interested in anything science or health related, it has been so great to feel comfortable asking you about the specifics of your latest procedure or listening to explanations about exactly how CF affects different parts of your body. I love hearing those stories because I'm a total science dork, but also because you always sounds so confident and informed. You and your parents know more about this disease than 99% of the nurses who have taken care of you, which has allowed you to make decisions about your health care, something that most patients can't, or don't have the guts to do.
Working in the hospital, especially at Doernbecher's, has really opened my eyes to the brutality of cystic fibrosis. Again, I never saw you as unhealthy. I only remember the massive amount of funny colored pills you took in the Edison cafeteria before lunch, and occasionally walking past the nurse's room and seeing you sitting with some sort of funny looking mask breathing out mist. But now I feel much closer to this disease because of working with these young kids. It has made me realize where you actually went during those few weeks every year that you disappeared from school and drove the 2 hours up to Portland. I can relate a little better now having talked with 17 year old young women having to put on that huge vest that pounds into their chests, coughing the entire time. And I now realize how different your life has been than mine. But somehow, through it all you have maintained close friendships and strong family relationships while continuing the activities of daily living that we all take for granted. Over the past 25 years you have found a delicate balance between making conservative decisions about your health while enjoying life and all it has to offer.
So, congratulations- for accepting this disease but keeping it at a good distance at the same time. You are truly an inspiration my friend! I hope to come up to Seattle and see you while you are recovering, but if I don't make it up before you go home, I'll see you soon enough in Eugene. I can't wait to hear the new and improved, cough-free Emily. Rest and recover.... I hope you have some good movies and maybe some seasons of Sex and the City to watch while you are up there!
Shannon
Ps- Keith and Peg- Thanks so much for keeping everyone so informed. It must not be easy trying to care for Emily while she is recovering while continuously updating the blog, but it really is much appreciated! Emily is so lucky to have you both there at her side. See you soon!