Fwd: Thank You in a Christmas Card

I never forward these, but I think this is a really great idea.
If you are wondering why you got this, it's because I sent it to all of my contacts.

Hello All,

    As Christmas season approaches we begin to reflect on how truly fortunate we are, and all the blessings we have been given.  I think that at this time it is only proper to also think of the brave men and women who have risked their lives for our freedom.  I think a small Thank You in a Christmas Card is the least we could do.   Please read on.

This request came  from the wife of one of our heroic vets...

When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address.  If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get.

A Great Idea!!!


When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:

         A Recovering American soldier
         c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
         6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
         Washington,D.C. 20307-5001

If you approve of the idea, please pass it on to your e-mail list. Thank you!

                          Catherine Walsh

--
"Maybe we've been caught signing 'Red, White, Blue and Green!' Well that aint my American dream"- Swtichfoot, from the song American Dream on 'Oh! Gravity."

The Gnome is home!

Helen is doing very, very well. So well that it's hard to get her to stay still and pose for a picture! (Sophie surprised her, and this was the only one we could get.)
Helen's incision is healing nicely and she's gotten into the swing of taking her meds regularly. Not to mention she's walking like a pro! She thanks you all for everything and is keeping each of you in her prayers.

Homeward Bound

Helen's blood sugar went down this morning, and the welcome news arrived at last: she is going home! She checked out of the hospital, and is returning to her very own bed. Thank you all for your prayers, and please remember that the visiting rules remain the same.
God bless and thank you!

Sweet Slumber

Helen took a shower this morning, and is now sleeping the hours away. She is still in a fair amount of pain, and her blood sugar is still high. Her dad and brother Thomas went out to get her some good food, and her mother just returned to her own room to take her pain medication.
Sergio arrived to visit, and has promised Helen he'd make her favorite pasta for her.
Now the lights have turned down and Helen is sleeping quietly.

Latest News - there isn't much

Helen's blood sugar is slightly lower, but they are keeping her in the hospital for another day. All her IVs are coming out, and she is on a low-carb diet to try and continue to lower her blood sugar. Thank you for all your prayers and please keep them coming.
Helen is going to go out for a walk around the hospital and get some fresh air. We request no visitors today as she is pretty exhausted and needs some peace and quiet.
Again, thank you all, and we will post more information when we have it.

Please Pray

Hi Everyone,
We would just like to ask you to keep the prayers up.
PLEASE PRAY!!!

Thanks,
Helen's Friends

Sugar Danger

The doctors discovered some sobering news today. Helen's blood sugar has just risen, and there is concern about her condition. Please join us in praying for a temporary and short duration of this situation. Thank you all, and keep up the prayers!

Priests Come Avisiting!

Father Anthony and Father Carl surprised us all with a knock at the door of Helen's room. With wide smiles and sincere blessings, they administered communion and then hung out for a while to chat. While Father Carl signed the gnome guest book, Father Anthony reminisced about arriving at Holy Rosary for the first time, shortly before Helen was hospitalized as a baby. He has been there for all these years, and it was truly a blessing to have him there at her bedside today.
We would like to thank all the priests for their prayers and support during this time.

Mother-Daughter Reunion

Around 11 o'clock this morning, Mrs. Freiling made the long journey to visit her daughter in Dornbecker. They compared stitches and stories, and shared some quality time together. The gnome colony joined them in celebrating their successful surgeries!

Visitors welcome!

Hey Everyone!
Visitors are now welcome for both Elizabeth and Helen! They would love to see all of you and you're welcome pretty much any time of the day. However, we do ask that you to call Michael and Anna to let them know what time of day you will be coming. If you'd like to see Elizabeth call Michael at 503.975.9588. If you want to see Helen call Anna at 503.348.9995. Thanks so much, and we hope to see you all up here sometime soon!

Video From Helen!

Today was pretty much uneventful, boring for Helen, but a blessing for the rest of us! Helen's blood pressure is also back to normal, so another good thing to be thankful for. Helen will stay another night in the ICU because there are no rooms available in the regular units. She will most likely move to a new room tomorrow be able to have visitors which has made her extremely happy! She keeps saying how much she wants to see everyone, and I'm sure it would make her day to see you all up here at OHSU.
Lily Owen came to visit Helen for a bit today, and Helen and I were so bored we put make-up on her and did her hair. She looks beautiful 2 days after a transplant!

The lord has blessed us a million times over for all the help and prayers that our family has received. We can never thank you all enough, but please know that you all mean the world to us, and that we're positive Helen will keep each one of you in her prayers for the rest of her life. You have given her a wonderful and priceless gift!

God bless, and hopefully we will see some of you soon!

No Visitors for Helen or Elizabeth Today

The doctors want Helen to get a lot of rest today.  Elizabeth is having her epidural removed, and we'll be focusing on pain control for her.  So we're asking you to hold off one more day and not come to visit them.  We'll post as soon as they are able to receive visitors.

 

I know there are many of you who want to come see them, and we'll try to accomodate you as soon as we can.

A Restful Day

Elizabeth had a very restful day today.  Her pain is well under control, for which she credits the epidural she was given just before surgery.  She spent a lot of the day napping.  She got her first look at this blog tonight.

 

Most likely, Elizabeth will be ready to receive visitors before Helen will be.  Keep your eye on this blog, and we'll let you know when visitors are allowed.

Ahead of Schedule

Helen's doctor visited her this evening.  What a hard worker!  It was close to 9pm, and he hadn't had dinner yet.  He said that by most measures, Helen is well ahead of schedule.  She's able to drink clear liquids.  She was also able to take two laps (walking, of course!) around the ICU today.  Her kidneys are putting out plenty of urine.  Best of all, her creatinine (a measure of the toxic wastes your kidneys should be filtering) should be back to normal within a day or two.  On the eve of the surgery, her creatinine level was nearly 10 times normal.

 

Helen was a bit anemic Monday night, and the doctors were considering a blood transfusion.  But her blood cell counts were up today, so the transfusion is off.  Another thing to be grateful for.

 

Helen's blood pressure is a little high, so she's been given some blood pressure medicine to keep it in the normal range while she eliminates all the excess fluid in her body.

 

Helen's pain is well under control.  She went to bed around 10pm tonight.  Tomorrow, the focus will be on quiet and rest.  She's also expected to leave the ICU for a regular hospital room.

Helen Post-Op!

Helen is doing very well. She slept well through the night, and is now able to start drinking sips of water, and is able to talk normally. She was able to get out of bed this morning and is now sitting in a rocking chair, relaxing, with morphine-pump in hand. She said to tell everyone thank you for the prayers.
Helen will just be hanging out in the ICU today, probably watching some movies and reading Harry Potter. She is expected to take a walk around the floor later today.
Helen will also spend another night in the ICU tonight, and will be expected to go to her regular room sometime tomorrow.
Thanks again everyone! And we will keep you updated on when Helen can have visitors. She can't wait to see you all!

Visiting Rules

Elizabeth and Helen are recovering today, and NOT YET READY to receive visitors.  Helen is still in intensive care.  We'll be posting messages to the blog throughout the day to let you know how things are going.  We'll also post a message when Elizabeth and/or Helen are able to receive visitors.  If you feel you really need to talk to someone, please call Tami at 503-502-1192.  This will enable family members to concentrate on caring for Elizabeth and Helen.

 

When Elizabeth and Helen are able to receive visitors, there are a few rules that need to be observed.  There are two reasons for these rules.  Helen is immune suppressed, and Elizabeth, while not immune suppressed herself, is on an adult transplant floor, where many of the patients are immune suppressed.  Both of them are receiving pain medication.  The pain is controlled, but it is still there.

 

What does "immune suppressed" mean?  The natural tendency of Helen's body is to recognize her new kidney as a foreign object, and launch a host of biological defenses to destroy it.  Helen has been given massive doses of medicine to prevent this "rejection" of the kidney.  Unfortunately, these medicines also make it much more difficult for Helen to fight off diseases, even simple colds.  They also make it much more difficult for Helen to protect herself against common varieties of some fungi and herbs that can actually kill her.  Viruses are a greater risk than bacterial infections.

 

Her doctors are following a new "low steroid" protocol that limits the amount of steroids Helen will have to take, but she will still be taking some form of immune suppression medicine for the rest of her life.  The risk is greatest, however, in the first 3 - 6 months.  That's when we have to be extremely careful about Helen's environment, to make sure that she's not exposed to any diseases or other factors that can harm her.

 

So here are the rules.  Please be very careful to observe them:

 

Visitors must be healthy.  All visitors must be completely healthy.  If you or any of your children have even a sniffle or a cold, we're asking that you wait until the cold is long past before coming to visit.

 

No flowers.  Please do not send or bring flowers or other agricultural products.  They can have "fellow traveller" fungi that can cause very serious trouble for Helen or any of the immune suppressed patients on Elizabeth's floor.

 

No children under 12.  For similar reasons, we're asking that you don't bring children under 12 (except nursing babies) to the hospital.

 

Keep visits short.  Elizabeth and Helen are still experiencing pain, and will tire easily.  Of course, they will want to be gracious, and may not admit that they're tiring.  So we're asking you to keep your visits to 15-20 minutes in length.

 

Keep praying.  Prayer is the most important thing.  We have a long road ahead of us, and many new habits to learn.  Your prayers are extremely important in helping us make these changes.  Keep them coming.

 

Thanks so much to all of you who have been praying for us.  I can't tell you how much your support means to us.

"Tell Mom Thank You"

Helen has had a bit of a struggle coming out of her anesthesia.  She was thrashing around a bit, but that has subsded.  She's much more alert, but she hasn't spoken yet.  We think it's because her throat hurts.  Her kidney is working very well.  In fact, it's producing so much urine that the ICU attendants are having to work hard to keep up her fluid pressure.

Although Helen hasn't spoken, it turns out that she and Anna know sign language.  Apparently, they've been using sign language for years to communicate during choir practice.  Almost the first thing Helen signed to Anna was "Tell Mom Thank You."  The tears were rolling down Anna's face.

Hi Helen from the Tomassi/ Walsh/ Young Family

This is a little shout-out to our gnome from the other Holy Rosary clan.
Hi Helen, We're all praying for you. Get well soon
-The Walsh Clan



Also, the Walsh clan would like to send a toast to Elizabeth
Elizabeth: You and all you are doing is amazing. You're an example to us all.
- The Walsh Clan

The latest...

Mom is up and in a great mood! She's talking (although she's a tad loopy) and visiting with friends and family. Ice chips and the epidural in her back are keeping her comfortable and in good cheer!
Helen is out of surgery and is now in recovery. She is expected to come to in the next few minutes, and Dad and I will go down to be there when she is awake.
We will try to update you all again after we talk to Helen and hear how she feels.
Thanks all!

One down, one to go!

Mom is now awake after spending time in the recovery room, and Dad has just gone down to be the first to visit her. Helen's new kidney, the kidney formerly known as Elizabeth's, was successfully transplanted and the Doctor's report is that it is working like a charm! The surgeon is now stitching Helen back up and she will soon be wheeled to recovery. Thank you all for the prayers and good wishes!

Closing Time

Elizabeth's surgeon, Dr. Ham, came into the waiting room to tell us that Elizabeth's operation is essentially finished, and they are just closing up the incision. Elizabeth is expected to be coming out of recovery, and available to visit, about 3 or 3:30 pm.

The Kidney Has Landed

Just got a call from Helen's operating room.  The kidney has arrived safe and sound.  They are still getting Helen ready to place the kidney, but everything is going well so far.  Thanks for all your prayers.

Gnomes Need Love Too!

Looks like Gnome Chompski has gone "troll" ing, and found himself a pair of cuties!  He's praying cheek-to-cheek with Helen's sister Sophie and cousin Mary Catherine.  Hope you're remembering to pray for Helen.

Aunt Colony

Who needs friends when you've got aunts?  Helen's Aunt Anne just arrived with lunch for everybody.  And just in time too, because everybody is starving.  Fresh Ciabatta Rolls, cold cuts, and cheese.  Helen's aunts have been a real blessing to us all through the transplant.  Aunt Catherine helped chase down a runaway set of car keys last night.  Aunt Mary brought fresh coffee this morning.  And we can't forget Aunt Margaret, who makes her living massaging some of the finest stallions (the horse variety, stupid!) in California, and has used her skills to keep Helen comfortable all morning.  Here is Aunt Margaret with Helen's friend Tami.

Around Portland, Helen's aunts (not to mention her Mom) are known as the "Manion girls".  Manion girls are legendary for their ability to arrange events, their cooking skills, and their all-around competence.  Let's hear it for the Manion girls!

When in Gnome, Pray as the Gnomons Do.

Our visiting gnome, who is known to his friends as "Gnome Chompski", knows its important to lead by example.  Here he is, praying for Helen.  Hope you're praying for Helen too!

Who's Out There?

We're trying to assess the level of readership of Helen's update blog.  If you're reading this blog, please send us an e-mail to laetificat@hotmail.com, and let us know (a) who you are, (b) how you found this site, and (c) how often you're checking the site.  This will help us figure out how often to post updates.

Helen Into Surgery

Helen went into surgery about 20 minutes ago.  Her anesthesiologist is German, and has been doing anesthesia for 11 years.  Her other nurse comes from the University of Colorado Hospital.  She taught nursing in Colorado, but she says she loves OHSU.  The medical staff is very competent, but don't take themselves too seriously.  She promised to call us with updates.

Keep praying!

Helen Is Awake

The nurses came to wake Helen up a little while ago.  Helen had a tough night because of her reaction to the medicine, but she slept more or less comfortably from about 4am to about 10:30am.  Helen will be taken into surgery in about 20 minutes.

 

After they woke her up, the nurses gave her a special cleaning shower.  Since then, her aunt Margaret and friend Tami have been giving her massages to keep her comfortable.

 

We'll post again once Helen has gone into surgery.

 

 

Elizabeth Into Surgery

Elizabeth started ansethesia about 8:30am this morning, and went into surgery about 10:15 am.  Things are going fine.  The only complication was that the doctors had a great deal of difficulty getting Elizabeth's wedding ring off her finger.  Seems she just didn't want to give it up.  Needless to say, I am deeply touched by her devotion.

 

Elizabeth's strength going into surgery was a real inspiration.  As we gave her our parting hugs, she was still making jokes.  Keep up those prayers, people!

Waking Up

Helen just woke up and is getting ready for the surgery at 11. Her fever is completely gone, thanks to all your prayers, and she seems to be feeling ok. This gnome joined us this morning, and managed to put a smile on all of our faces!

Surgery Timing...

Helen had a difficult night, with a high fever, but her temperature is now down to normal, and she is sleeping soundly. Her surgery is scheduled for 11 o'clock am.

Keep the prayers coming!

Helen had a bad reaction to the immunosuppressant drug that the doctor gave her last night, and was up all night with a fever and chills, and vomiting. She finally fell asleep this morning and is feeling a bit better. She is now scheduled to go into surgery around 9am. Keep the prayers coming! God bless, and we will try to keep you updated!

Dominic Calls it a Night

Dominic, Thomas, Sophie and Anna are heading home now.  We're getting up at 4:30 am tomorrow morning to help Elizabeth check in at 5:45am.  Elizabeth's surgery will start at 7am, and Helen will start about an hour or so later.  Elizabeth is expected to be out of surgery by 12 noon to 1pm, and Helen will be out around 2pm.

 

We'll be hanging out all day at the OHSU main hospital surgery waiting area on the 9th floor.  Thomas will be playing Texas Hold 'Em with all comers.  Come by and join the fun.

 

Above all, keep praying for Helen and Elizabeth.  Fr. Guissani and Elizabeth of the Trinity are local favorites.  Each and every prayer is important.  And remember to offer up any inconvenience or suffering that comes your way tomorrow for Helen and Elizabeth's speedy recovery.

Who's The Patient Here?

This is the scene that presented itself to the night nurse when she came into Helen's room about 20 minutes ago.  She had to ask, "Who's the patient here?"  Of course, she'd never met the diabolical gnome in person before.  Can you spot the gnome in this picture?

Pizza Party

It looks more like a dorm room than a hospital room in Doernbecher 9 South right now.  Helen's adoring big sister Anna did a run to Hot Lips Pizza to get pizza for everybody.  Meanwhile, Helen's brother Dominic, sisters Cecilia and Sophie, and cousin Keeley showed up to join the party.  They are all watching "How to Steal a Million Dollars" with Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole.

 

When the nurses came to set up Helen's IV line, they had to push and shove their way through the crowd to find Helen!

Special Thanks to Make-A-Wish

As Helen enters the hospital for her transplant, we'd like to say a special thank-you to the Make-A-Wish Foundation (http://www.wish.org).

Last year, Make-A-Wish sent Helen and her whole family to Maui for a very special vacation.  Many of the pictures on Helen's site were taken on that vacation.  We were especially touched by the level of care and thoughtfulness that Make-A-Wish put into planning Helen's trip.  To give you just one example, we didn't even have to worry about parking at the airport, because Make-A-Wish sent a limo to pick us all up!

But that's just one example.  Make-A-Wish made it possible for us to go snorkeling, kayaking, and even surfing while we were on our trip.  The care we experienced, and the joy of our trip made a very special memory that gives us added strength as we face the transplant together.

Helen Checks In

Helen checked into Doernbecher Children's Hospital at 3pm this afternoon.  She's in Room 9 on the 9th floor.  Helen's friends Sophie and Lily are with her now, and they are trying to figure out what card game to play.  Meanwhile, Lily is patching Helen's favorite stuffed animal, a Gorilla that Helen has had since she was four years old.  They are having a lot of fun, and we're hoping things don't get too wilde.  Here is a picture of the goings-on in Helen's room.

Update!

Hey everyone!
First of all I want to thank you all for your prayers and support throughout this grueling process. Our entire family, and especially Helen, appreciate the love of good friends and intercession to the Lord on our behalf.
The surgeon set the date for July 13th, but is now having second thoughts due to Helen's kidney doctor being out of town. They're still discussing it, so keep this in your prayers as well. Hopefully they will decide soon, so that we can plan around the date! (relatives plane flights and everything)
Again, thank you for everything. Our family has benefited tremendously from all of your love and support. Just knowing that you are present, and that you are pouring forth prayers and concern for our family, sure sets our fears at ease.
Our most deep-felt thanks and love goes out to all of you.
God Bless.

Donor decided!

Helen, the bachlorette, has picked kidney #3, Mom! It looks like her mother is the best match so they will be becoming very close to each other soon! The transplant nurse is going to schedule a date soon, her mother has testing this week and then they can set a real date.