Update: Liver Surgery Thursday - 26th of March.
Major Liver Surgery to remove about 80% of her liver and part of lung.
It will be a very delicate and intensive surgery with a difficult recovery.
We are very grateful to have this surgery as an option: Several MAJOR Ifs had to line up to be able to take this step:
IF it can clear out of the lungs enough that remaining nodules are small enough and few enough to be surgically removed.
IF they can find a healthy chunk of liver
IF her body had good blood flow to and from liver.
We feel such peace knowing that we are in God's hands. I know that he will give us the strength Thursday and meanwhile I haven't worried about it. Our job is to help her be happy and healthy! We can do that :)
River felt so good the last time she was in the hospital for chemo!
She was riding up and down the halls on her IV pole -
She was in the halls probably more than she was in the room.
We enjoyed sitting on the window bench at the hospital - in the sunshine - with a fantastic view of the city.
She made up several games in the halls with a throw up bag and medicine cups -
catch, baseball, soccer,
VIDEO: River riding her IV poles in the halls
VIDEO IV Pole
Summer, River, Silver
Silver
Up the canyon for Family Night.
Daddy taught girls how to start a fire using magnesium flint and steel.
It was a good object lesson taking quite a while to start the fire - but what a neat memory that something great can take multiple attempts and then some more and then quite a few more. They stuck with it until they had a little blaze.
Each one made their own fire and kept it going!
Take time for dates :)
The Lord is very aware of us and loves us individually - he is in the details!!
Waiting for us at the Ronald McDonald house was a thank you package from the San Diego zoo for River helping them and appearing on their zoo channel. It was a polar bear because she LOVES them so much. This trip we accidentally forgot "Mr Carrots" at home! YIKES!
She had a polar bear to snuggle while away from home, and on the very time that we accidentally left Mr Carrots home.
River with Rick of the Zoo Channel.
What Rick said about experience on Ronald McDonald Facebook page:
Had a wonderful time at @Ronald McDonald House of the Intermountain Area making friends with River. We had great conversations about polar bears (one of her favorites), cheetahs and elephants. She even had a chance to preview some of the content on the San Diego Zoo Kids Channel - and good news, she gave it her approval!
After thought: I wish you all could meet who I meet and see what I see. As most of you know I am in Salt Lake City right now. We are preparing to launch another event for San Diego Zoo Kids channel here for the Ronald McDonald House & Primary Children's Hospital. Today I was fortunate enough to meet 3 families, each with children going though something different, something challenging. One little one just wanted to play ball with me, another one, (River in the pic) had a great love of polar bears thanks to her family taking her to the SD Zoo for vacation long before she was sick. Another little one wasn't feeling too well, and just wanted to sit next to me and look at the animal pictures I have on my phone. I can't help but get emotional after a day with these families. All dealing with so much, and all fighting the illnesses so bravely. And don't even get me started with the volunteers, doctors and nurses who bravely stand by the side of these families and these kids fighting the good fight with them. I am grateful for my opportunities, I am grateful for good health and I wish you could meet who I met and see what I see.
River, Silver, Summer, Tanzi
GeoCashing!
Arizona Snow shovels
Silver's Snow Beast she is hunting
River had a toothache ontop of it all!
Dentist came to her primary children's room and took x-rays - Permanent teeth pushing up but baby teeth not falling out. Dentist says: needs to come out now. Oncologists: No Way! No immunity and very low platelets. A few weeks after this River's platelets and immunity were up and the tooth came out on its own. "Faith in the Lord includes Faith in His timing." - Neal A. Maxwell
Catching snowflakes
More window seats! I LOVE WINDOW SEATS!
Ronald McDonald Room - window seat tea party!
River, Summer, Silver, Tanz
River's view of the world:
There is beauty everywhere!
Ronald McDonald Craft room: Making Flubber!
I play while River sings.
This time:
"There is Sunshine in my soul today!"
Lyrics
Summer has a knack for finding hearts - she finds them everywhere!
Little heart rocks, and here a chocolate heart in the bag of chocolate covered nuts!
Silver, Tanz, Karin, River
I Have learned SO much from this kid on how to embrace every day. How to LIVE in a happy manner always looking for the silver lining and secure in her heart knowing that she is in God's hands.
Song on You Tube:
David Archuleta: GLORIOUS from Meet the Mormons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GytW_rgr0RM&list=PLKNMaufnM7Tp_PtYzUM1HBHldK9pJ9BL6&index=2
Lyrics:
There are times when you might feel aimless
And can't see the places where you belong
But you will find that there is a purpose
It's been there within you all along
And when you're near it you can almost hear it.
And can't see the places where you belong
But you will find that there is a purpose
It's been there within you all along
And when you're near it you can almost hear it.
[Chorus:]
It's like a symphony just keep listening
And pretty soon you'll start to figure out your part
Everyone plays a piece in their own melodies
In each one of us, oh, it's glorious
It's like a symphony just keep listening
And pretty soon you'll start to figure out your part
Everyone plays a piece in their own melodies
In each one of us, oh, it's glorious
[Verse 2:]
And you will know how to let it ring out as you discover who you are
Others around you will start to wake up
To the sounds that are in their hearts
It's so amazing, what we're all creating
And you will know how to let it ring out as you discover who you are
Others around you will start to wake up
To the sounds that are in their hearts
It's so amazing, what we're all creating
[Chorus:]
It's like a symphony just keep listening
And pretty soon you'll start to figure out your part
Everyone plays a piece in their own melodies
In each one of us, oh, it's glorious
It's like a symphony just keep listening
And pretty soon you'll start to figure out your part
Everyone plays a piece in their own melodies
In each one of us, oh, it's glorious
[Bridge:]
And as you feel the notes build high
You will see
And as you feel the notes build high
You will see
[Chorus:]
It's like a symphony just keep listening
And pretty soon you'll start to figure out your part
Everyone plays a piece in their own melodies
In each one of us, oh, it's glorious
It's like a symphony just keep listening
And pretty soon you'll start to figure out your part
Everyone plays a piece in their own melodies
In each one of us, oh, it's glorious
Acts 17:27
That they should seek the Lord, (JST) If they are willing to find him, for he is not far from every one of us.
River,
ReplyDeleteThe Lord has total power to heal you and you (and your family) have way more than enough faith for this to continue to happen. Do not worry because you are all doing everything you can, this last part is in the Lords hands and He is very good at helping Doctors and Surgeons. Might be nice if the Surgeon and care givers would say a little prayer with you before they start tomorrow. :)
We have been trying to say more meaningful prayers in your behalf. So you have helped us be better. Your like a missionary already. :)
May the Angels and the Spirit of the Lord be with all of you tomorrow for your surgery and throughout this experience. :)
Love The Hales Family