Trish,
We just finished a week long course here in Arlington with the Vets and Techs, and we all missed your smiling face, happy attitude, and of course your jabs at Brad.
June is designing a cardiac table that can be cheaply and quickly built, and had Matt build a prototype of it last week. We auctioned the table off on Friday, because there were several vets that needed one. A vet from San Antonio kept the bid up and bought it for $1000. He then gave it right back for the group to bid on again. A vet from Colorado bid and won it for another $350...so we took the $1350 and have deposited it in the Wells Fargo account set up for you.
We have also had some staff donations to deposit as well. The whole group, both students and staff, had alot of fun doing this. Thanks to everyone for their donations!!
We miss you, girl! Stay strong.
Joyce
Counting My Blessings...July 23, 2010
Good Afternoon,
I wanted to write a quick note today to say hello and to tell you all about a blessing that I received today. One of my classmates from college and very good friend, Lisa Bartenhagan told me about a friend of hers that had a liver transplant 14 years ago, and she thought I may want to speak with her. We were able to connect today and after 35 minutes on the phone I felt as if I had found a new friend. Sharon was so easy to talk to, and made me feel very comfortable in a very scary situation. As I bombarded her with questions, she was so kind and patient to answer each and every one of them. We have made plans to meet the next time I am in Omaha, where she lives, and I cannot wait. Before Sharon had even spoken to me she invited me to her home to talk about the transplant. Even though we have not met, I can tell she is such a strong individual, with a contagious positive attitude. I thank God, and Lisa that she has come into my life. Like I have said before, I do have cancer, but with that has come many blessings and I am truly thankful.
I would also like to thank from the bottom of my heart Gracie's 4-H group, Boots-N-Spurs. They had a benefit lunch, raffle, and silent auction for us at a recent horse show to help with medical expenses. Their donation was so kind and generous that when they presented the check to us I was so overwhelmed and speechless. We appreciate it so much. There were many that donated items and I just want all of you to know how much it means to me. I am surrounded by many angels in my life and am truly blessed. Thank you Kelli for the heart warming message on my blog. You know me, I cried my way through it, and it meant so much. Have a great weekend and thanks again for all of the support.
Love Trish
I wanted to write a quick note today to say hello and to tell you all about a blessing that I received today. One of my classmates from college and very good friend, Lisa Bartenhagan told me about a friend of hers that had a liver transplant 14 years ago, and she thought I may want to speak with her. We were able to connect today and after 35 minutes on the phone I felt as if I had found a new friend. Sharon was so easy to talk to, and made me feel very comfortable in a very scary situation. As I bombarded her with questions, she was so kind and patient to answer each and every one of them. We have made plans to meet the next time I am in Omaha, where she lives, and I cannot wait. Before Sharon had even spoken to me she invited me to her home to talk about the transplant. Even though we have not met, I can tell she is such a strong individual, with a contagious positive attitude. I thank God, and Lisa that she has come into my life. Like I have said before, I do have cancer, but with that has come many blessings and I am truly thankful.
I would also like to thank from the bottom of my heart Gracie's 4-H group, Boots-N-Spurs. They had a benefit lunch, raffle, and silent auction for us at a recent horse show to help with medical expenses. Their donation was so kind and generous that when they presented the check to us I was so overwhelmed and speechless. We appreciate it so much. There were many that donated items and I just want all of you to know how much it means to me. I am surrounded by many angels in my life and am truly blessed. Thank you Kelli for the heart warming message on my blog. You know me, I cried my way through it, and it meant so much. Have a great weekend and thanks again for all of the support.
Love Trish
To Trish from Kelli - July 21, 2010
Trish,
When I walked onto the UNMC campus 18 years ago, scared and unsure, you were there. When I didn't even know what floor the NICU was on, you were there. When the pressure of school was on us and we needed to let off steam, you were there. When I needed to chat about life and I needed someone to listen, you were there. When I needed minor surgery right in middle of ultrasound school, you were there. When a bunch of kids failed to yield and left my car totaled in the intersection, you were there. When I was thinking about graduation and who would still be in my life, I knew you'd be there. When I looked to my left on my wedding day, you were there. When I moved all around the country, you were there. When I needed help with work in California, you were there. When I needed a friend, you were there.
When you first told me the news and I tried to make sense of it, I knew I'd be there. When you were at UNMC to find out the official diagnosis, I was there. When you came out, crying, and said, "this wasn't how it was supposed to be," I was there. When you needed a hug, I was there. When you needed to laugh, I was there. When you so strongly endured major thoracic surgery, I was there.
When you get the transplant call, I will be there. When you are healing, I will be there. When you want to scream, I will be there. When you want to laugh, I will be there. When you feel like it is too overwhelming, I will be there. When there are miles between us, just remember, I will be there. When you want to cry, I will be there. When you need a hug, I will be there. When you want to throw things, I will be there. When you are ready to dance in the living room, I will be there.
Trish, you said that you thought there was a reason that I moved back to the Midwest and you are right. I will be there.
I love you!
Kelli
When I walked onto the UNMC campus 18 years ago, scared and unsure, you were there. When I didn't even know what floor the NICU was on, you were there. When the pressure of school was on us and we needed to let off steam, you were there. When I needed to chat about life and I needed someone to listen, you were there. When I needed minor surgery right in middle of ultrasound school, you were there. When a bunch of kids failed to yield and left my car totaled in the intersection, you were there. When I was thinking about graduation and who would still be in my life, I knew you'd be there. When I looked to my left on my wedding day, you were there. When I moved all around the country, you were there. When I needed help with work in California, you were there. When I needed a friend, you were there.
When you first told me the news and I tried to make sense of it, I knew I'd be there. When you were at UNMC to find out the official diagnosis, I was there. When you came out, crying, and said, "this wasn't how it was supposed to be," I was there. When you needed a hug, I was there. When you needed to laugh, I was there. When you so strongly endured major thoracic surgery, I was there.
When you get the transplant call, I will be there. When you are healing, I will be there. When you want to scream, I will be there. When you want to laugh, I will be there. When you feel like it is too overwhelming, I will be there. When there are miles between us, just remember, I will be there. When you want to cry, I will be there. When you need a hug, I will be there. When you want to throw things, I will be there. When you are ready to dance in the living room, I will be there.
Trish, you said that you thought there was a reason that I moved back to the Midwest and you are right. I will be there.
I love you!
Kelli
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| Trish and Kelli 1993 - Cute bangs girls!! |
T
Follow Up Visit With Thoracic Surgeon - July 14, 2010
Hello All,
I wanted to write a short note to update everyone following my check-up with Dr. Trujillo, my Thoracic (Lung) surgeon. Once again I absolutely love her. We just clicked from the start, and that alone is such a relief. My sister Tonya and Gracie took me down to Omaha for my appointment. We drove 3 hours, and were not in the hospital for 45 mins, and that included my chest x-ray and Dr. appt. She said I recovered great, and I won't need to see her again. The lesion in my lungs was a fungal infection, which is very common in the midwest, but nothing to be concerned about. She removed my stitches and I was out the door. I am able to exercise again as tolerated. My only restrictions is lifting. I am still restricted to 10 lbs for 2 more weeks, then I can get back to normal. I am feeling like a human being again, just a small amount of fatigue here and there. Thank you all for the cards, calls, and e-mails, I appreciate them all. Try and stay cool. We just sit, wait, and pray for the liver now. God bless you all.
Trish
I wanted to write a short note to update everyone following my check-up with Dr. Trujillo, my Thoracic (Lung) surgeon. Once again I absolutely love her. We just clicked from the start, and that alone is such a relief. My sister Tonya and Gracie took me down to Omaha for my appointment. We drove 3 hours, and were not in the hospital for 45 mins, and that included my chest x-ray and Dr. appt. She said I recovered great, and I won't need to see her again. The lesion in my lungs was a fungal infection, which is very common in the midwest, but nothing to be concerned about. She removed my stitches and I was out the door. I am able to exercise again as tolerated. My only restrictions is lifting. I am still restricted to 10 lbs for 2 more weeks, then I can get back to normal. I am feeling like a human being again, just a small amount of fatigue here and there. Thank you all for the cards, calls, and e-mails, I appreciate them all. Try and stay cool. We just sit, wait, and pray for the liver now. God bless you all.
Trish
From Trish to her Co-Workers - July 9, 2010
When I found my job, I found the joy that work can bring, and with that came some remarkable people that I work with. It is my privilege to be able to work with all of them. Thank you all and especially Joyce for giving me a chance and hiring me.
Love,
Trish
Love,
Trish
I Am 'Officially' on the Transplant List!! - July 9, 2010
I heard from my transplant coordinator Wendy the past couple of days, and I am "officially" on the transplant list. She went on the list with a MELD score of a 9, but once the board receives a letter today from Dr. Sorrell, (Internal Medicine), Dr. Mercer (Transplant Surgeon), and Wendy, my score should jump to a 22 due to the fact I have cancer. Wendy told me today that she has had them update the score at 8:00 PM and the patient has gotten called 3 hours later. I am sure this is very rare, but it just makes us realize that it is real and can happen anytime now.
Once again, and always I want to thank everyone for all of the kindness, cards, flowers, monetary support, and prayers. I hope I am able to pay this forward one day to the overwhelming extent that I have experienced. I have cancer, and in the same breath I can say, I am so blessed. Thank you all for that.
Love,
Trisha
Once again, and always I want to thank everyone for all of the kindness, cards, flowers, monetary support, and prayers. I hope I am able to pay this forward one day to the overwhelming extent that I have experienced. I have cancer, and in the same breath I can say, I am so blessed. Thank you all for that.
Love,
Trisha
Update from Trish - July 3, 2010
Hello All,
First and always foremost thank you so much for the calls, cards, gifts, and prayers. I cannot express how overwhelmed I am by the generosity, I am so blessed. I had my thoracic surgery yesterday and our prayers were answered when we finally heard the word BENIGN, which means the lung lesions were NOT CANCER!!!!! It was some sort of inflammatory process, but we have not received the final report. I am recovering well, with the pain being well controlled. They put in an epidural catheter for pain control and it has worked well. I was up and walking yesterday, and have already walked for at least 40 minutes today. I was hoping to go home today but I had a small air leak, so we are hoping for tomorrow. I am so pleased with my surgeon, who is a young, sassy gal. We hit it off immediately, and she has been a blessing for a scary surgery. My liver doctor stopped by yesterday, and the team will meet next Wednesday to discuss my case once again, but there should be no reason that I won't go on the list that day. They only meet on Wednesday's, and they have to wait for the official pathology report. I have received excellent care and have had a wonderful support system. All of you take care and enjoy your holiday. I was going to spend mine in Paris at an equine meeting but I thought having my pleural cavity invaded sounded like more fun. There is always Paris, and I plan on visiting some day. Once again many thanks.
Trish
First and always foremost thank you so much for the calls, cards, gifts, and prayers. I cannot express how overwhelmed I am by the generosity, I am so blessed. I had my thoracic surgery yesterday and our prayers were answered when we finally heard the word BENIGN, which means the lung lesions were NOT CANCER!!!!! It was some sort of inflammatory process, but we have not received the final report. I am recovering well, with the pain being well controlled. They put in an epidural catheter for pain control and it has worked well. I was up and walking yesterday, and have already walked for at least 40 minutes today. I was hoping to go home today but I had a small air leak, so we are hoping for tomorrow. I am so pleased with my surgeon, who is a young, sassy gal. We hit it off immediately, and she has been a blessing for a scary surgery. My liver doctor stopped by yesterday, and the team will meet next Wednesday to discuss my case once again, but there should be no reason that I won't go on the list that day. They only meet on Wednesday's, and they have to wait for the official pathology report. I have received excellent care and have had a wonderful support system. All of you take care and enjoy your holiday. I was going to spend mine in Paris at an equine meeting but I thought having my pleural cavity invaded sounded like more fun. There is always Paris, and I plan on visiting some day. Once again many thanks.
Trish
VAT Surgery Follow UP - July 2, 2010
Early Thursday ( July 1, 2010) the doctor moved Trish's chest tube to a water seal so she could walk around, which she did on several 20 minutes jaunts.
There were a few near nauseous episodes but all were addressed. Today however is the big day. Chest tube comes out this a.m. with an immediate chest x-ray followed by another in 4 hours. Later today if all goes well, out comes catheter, epidural , etc. and if all goes according to plan she will get to go home TONIGHT. She is very excited about a 3 plus hour car ride home…
This could not have gone any quicker unless she had not had surgery.
Thank you all for your support. Though already long, the journey is really just getting out of the driveway. Your thoughts, prayers and continue friendship are vital for the desired outcome.
There were a few near nauseous episodes but all were addressed. Today however is the big day. Chest tube comes out this a.m. with an immediate chest x-ray followed by another in 4 hours. Later today if all goes well, out comes catheter, epidural , etc. and if all goes according to plan she will get to go home TONIGHT. She is very excited about a 3 plus hour car ride home…
This could not have gone any quicker unless she had not had surgery.
Thank you all for your support. Though already long, the journey is really just getting out of the driveway. Your thoughts, prayers and continue friendship are vital for the desired outcome.
VAT Surgery Follow UP - 5:00 am July 1, 2010
Trish rested well thru the night. She had a chest X-ray just now with a Digital system that went smoothly. Has taken her pain meds like a good patient and is resting again.
Has had no nausea ( major concern going in) and should be up in chair sometime today and maybe walking after receiving a water seal on her chest tube pump.
Has had no nausea ( major concern going in) and should be up in chair sometime today and maybe walking after receiving a water seal on her chest tube pump.
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