Dying of Laughter

So Miranda came home from her mission a couple weeks early to have some surgery, but I have this great excuse to still write our family history down, since her novio is still on his mission in Paris, France for the next year.  So until May 9, 2019, I'll still write a missionary letter for our blog posts.  =)

Ok, this was a big week.  First of all, Miranda's friend McKenzie opened her call last Sunday night.  She wanted to go in the states, and didn't want to learn a language.  She got called to Long Beach, CA, English speaking. =)

Then, during our family meeting that night, Morgan was frowning and Miranda wasn't.

Carlie awarded her contest prize by drawing another artist's original character:

On Monday, we went up to Primary's for a pre-op blood draw... so fun.  Can't believe I didn't grab a pic.  Good times... Miranda had to keep her hospital wristband and name tag taped to her upper arm until the next day when she reported for surge.  Ugh.  

When we came back to our car, I thought we looked a little close to the car in front of us... That was me that parked last.  Good thing we beat them to the parking lot!  There wasn't even a millimeter between us jsyk.  That takes skill.

We met Carol & Carlie for lunch at Zupa's,

And then that night, Miranda took Jeff's ticket and went with me to see Music Man at Hale Center Theater.  Our little ward member, Parker Burnham was Winthrop, and did an excellent little job.

And during intermission, we passed the long lines for the bathroom, around the corner & out by the elevators, and found this little single/family bathroom with no one around... it's our little secret!

Tuesday, Halle & Kierste had their first horseback riding lesson!  They were in heaven.

They learned how to care for the horses, they sat on them for balance,

And afterward, they got to collect some eggs. =)

That morning, Miranda also went to my workout with me at Orange Theory.  Since phones are not allowed in the studio, I got these pics online from our location.  Miranda worked out so hard with me!  It's a guided workout, where up to 13 people are on treads, 

13 on rowers, 

and 13 on weight benches/stations. The trainer queues everyone when to switch & what pace to go, and you end up working out at all 3 stations during the 60 min.  It is beasty!  And Miranda did it with her hospital wristband and arm tag on.  =)

When we got to Primary Children's, we talked to the surgeon, who informed us that they were changing her surgery from a scopic to an open surgery.  Instead of the thin camera and instrument holes with a small incision to remove the lobe, they were spreading her ribs & cutting through muscle, to minimize risk that the tumor would burst when being squeezed through the small opening and spill cancer cells around her body cavity.  Yes, please change to that.

Each new bomb they've dropped on Miranda, she has accepted with faith and bravery, and this is no exception.  She walked with her surgeons to her operating room.

And left us waiting for her with the other families.  Jeff went up to Park City to buy her some Adidas sweats she liked, and I waited to get any updates they called to give us.  

The surgeon came back and told us that the mass was about the size of a tennis ball (!!!) and everything was removed safely, and she did great.  We went to see her in the post-op waiting room, and she looked too dead to me.  Too gone. She started shivering, and we covered her with every blanket we could get our hands on.  Our baby.

Back in her room, her nurses got her set up and she barely coherently talked to us & tried to cough... a little bit hard, if you can imagine.  Then she was out for the night (plus all the hospital interruptions to make sure you're still alive).

The ward started bringing in dinners, and my mom had come to stay with the kids whenever Jeff & I were both gone those first 2 days.  What a blessing. 

Wednesday, Miranda was a little more cognizant, but mostly just kept sleeping on & off through the day.  We tried to keep visitors away and nurses quiet, and she rested soundly so many times during the day.  At one point, they came in to access her port, or put the needle/tube into the port for that stay that would allow them to inject things directly into her blood stream close to her heart, so there is an even and quick dispersement of any medication.  We all had to wear masks while they did this.

But mostly she did this:

I honestly spent most of the day mommy-texting; coordinating what the kids were supposed to be at/ trying to remember all the things my mom would need to get them to, pick them up from... the kids had started an art class at the neighbor's house, 

Connor got invited to a birthday party at Hang Time, so I filled out the waiver and gave the contacts of the party mom to my mom & vice vs, the kids were supposed to go to Cowabunga Bay for Mutual.  One of our ward member's brothers owns it, so there is an annual ward free day.  =)

Little things like Connor being invited to go with the people driving our van to Mutual; they all just meant a day of furiously typing quietly on my phone while Miranda slept.  Because any time she was awake, I was Mommy in the room with her.  =)

During the Mutual activity, though, Carlie had to go catering for work at a tennis club that night.  Her boss loves her & posted this.

Halle & Kierste made it to Activity Days that night, playing night games in the neighborhood.  I was truly amazed that my mom kept everyone straight and got them to all their things with all the stuff they needed.  Thank you thank you, Mom!!!

Apparently, according to FB, on this day 5 years ago, we brought Zeus home as a tiny puppy.  He took to the kids instantly.  Morgan became his favorite "littermate," or brother.  =)

In the hospital, Miranda named our family group text "Boom babies" from when we used to do Hangouts by the same name during the mish.  When all the bitmojis were flying back & forth, I liked this one the most:

Wait.  Let me show you all our bitmoji's:

And Morgan.  Why would I need to tell you it's him?  This is why:

So Wednesday night, I went home to be with the kids overnight, and Jeff came to stay at the hospital with our baby. Thursday morning, Carol went to bridge the gap with Miranda until I could get there, while Jeff went home to sleep for work.  She took this picture of Miranda, using her Spanish and chatting with Connie, the woman who came to empty the trashes. Everyone loves Miranda.

 

I posted this to our neighborhood that morning:

And here are those pics blown up:

So when I got to the hospital, Emily was there, keeping her company.  They were so excited about the little matching toys that came with Miranda's meal.  =)

The surgical resident and nurses came in to remove her chest tube.  They hyped up how bad it was to remove for so many patients, that it had Miranda a little freaked out.  Turned out to be nothing... I mean, how many times have you had a simple snake pulled out of your chest?  Exactly.  Weird sensation, and it's over.  Easy peasy.

Miranda had had such a long night talking to Jeff, and a long day visiting with Carol & Emily, she started shutting down a little, so Em decided to go.  Since she's been working as a CNA, it was so natural for her to tuck Miranda in and arrange everything just right as she was leaving:

She left Miranda with a little Happiness Jar of little scrolled papers to pull out whenever she needed a pick-me-up.  They are all memories of their friendship: pictures, funny quotes, and even some wise quotes, too.  We started taping them to the cart so Miranda could see them all the time.

Miranda shut down for basically the rest of the night.  She slept from about 4-7, went for an X-ray, came back and ate, then slept from about 10 to about 9 the next morning, with the normal hospital interruptions.  But I have to say that at Primary's, they really keep these to a minimum, and they are so QUIET.  They're used to trying not to wake tiny people.  It was so peaceful for a hospital stay!!

That afternoon, our neighbors had come and taken the girls to play, and kept them all evening for a late night, playing games and entertaining them... I'm so grateful for all our neighborhood angels who helped us.  And for Carol who came to take over for my mom, taking care of everyone at home, while Jeff went to his normal job like a normal person, as if he didn't have a daughter recovering from surgery.  He needed that peace so he could do his job well.

Friday morning, I took a picture of the art we had been looking at for a few days:  H&K made these in their art class, and we taped them where Miranda could see them all day:

They came in at 9 for rounds (or honestly, I think Miranda would have stayed asleep!!), and told us she could go home!  Probably at 1.  Hahahahaha!!! 4 hours to discharge us!  So of course, after we cleaned her up,

She relaxed, ordered some bacon & hot chocolate (received cold chocolate milk...), took one last picture of the Happiness Jar memories & flowers, 

got dressed, and took another nap.  Recovering is HARD.  Sweet, well-intentioned people offered to visit and come hang out with her if she were bored... I kept telling her, people don't stay in the hospital when they're fine.  You need to just sleep hard, and rest when you're not sleeping.  Walk around when they tell you to, then get in bed and quietly heal.  She did this whenever possible.  =)

And then we were outta there!!

Bye, Primary's... wish we were never coming back.  Thanks for all the good laughs.

When we drove up to the house, the ward had made a sign and invited people who loved Miranda to come sign it.  It was so sweet!!  And with gold ribbons, signifying childhood cancer (and if they didn't know that, cancer ribbons that were just glittery and beautiful like Miranda).

They also had these gold ribbons tied around the trees and lights, but we could barely see them because it was so bright & sunny outside. Super thoughtful wardies.  =)

Here's the post I made to the Beacon Hills Neighbors about it:

When we got her settled in the living room on the recliners with her Chloe, here's what I posted just to our families:

This is when Xena tried to move in on Chloe's lap territory.  She thinks she's a dog, too.  But I think Xena also missed her sleeping buddy down in her room... she's been sleeping in bed with Miranda, whenever Chloe isn't.

Carol & Winn took the kids to their house so it could be quiet as a crypt for the surgical patient.  It was perfect.  She slept forever.  The kids were so happy to go to JCW's

And play games and eat cookies.  =)

Miranda went to bed about 12:30 after watching a few things with us while she convalesced, and then I didn't see her until 12:30 on Saturday... Girl knows how to sleep.

We washed her hair (hallelujah!!) so she could feel like a human again.

The wind came and tore her sign, so we moved it into the house.

She rested, we walked to the mailbox, that wiped her out, we watched another show, and just vegged.  

Carlie & Morgan went shopping for shoes for EFY next week, and then Carlie went to a friend's party.  Here's the evidence:

Today, Miranda & I stayed home while everyone else went, you know, to the good Sunday place.

We watched Conference and took Taylor's portraits.  She has to get posted on the neighborhood FB because she's still alive... she won the living contest of all the neighborhood elementary field day fish, but this is getting ridiculous.  If she keeps living, we're going to have to get her something stimulating to look at in her home, and maybe a companion.  Come on already.

The bishop texted and said that he had the thought to offer for some priests to bring us the sacrament because he didn't see us at church.  Miranda thought it would be a great idea, so Andrew & Jordan came over, and administered the sacrament in our living room.  What a great idea that was.  Of course, sweet Andrew (Prom) couldn't take his eyes off Carlie.  Now Miranda has seen this with her own eyes.  =)

And finally, the reason for the subject title of our emails:  This evening, Morgan almost killed Miranda.  His funniness got WAY out of control, and Miranda almost burst a lung.  Like people say that, but she was in so much pain for so long after his jokes.  Like stop it already, comedian.  This is getting serious.  

And MEMES!!!

This is cut funny, but I still liked it:

And finally:

Have a great week!  Can't wait to hear how you're doing!!!  Love, us