I went to the Single's Branch yesterday and was really enjoying myself. I've made a few tentative friends down there and I'm hoping that those will strengthen. I desperately need some buddies here in Missouri that are within reach so to speak.
Right before we were going to leave the church (I had stayed behind to help sing in the choir), I checked my phone to find a text message from Kimber saying that my dad was suffering from severe stomach pains and that my mom was taking him to the hospital. My dad has had a lack of an appetite and stomach pains for a while, but I guess this was just agonizing. It scared me so bad to get that message. I wasn't totally sure I'd be able to drive myself and the four others in my car home safely (I did. No worries. lol)
While on the road I was told that my dad was getting a cat scan and I was glad I had a distraction because I was tempted to break down and cry. I had already done that at the church and I really do hate crying. It makes me feel icky. I got home and I discussed things with my family and found that the doctors thought it was a kidney stone, but that's all they knew.
My mom called shortly after and told us that my dad had two kidney stones, one starting to pass through the passage, and another that was inside the passage and was making everything around it starting to swell up. The procedure couldn't be done in the local hospital, so my dad was transported by ambulance down to the Liberty Hospital, which is a good hour and a half drive from where we live. They only went by ambulance so my dad could have the pain medication as they went.
Mom, Kimber, and Danny followed behind them. I would have gone, but I was already so exhausted (driving to and from the single's branch amounts to more than 3 hours of driving) and I really didn't want to break down and cry in front of my dad. I had been so scared for him after all!
The doctors decided that they were going to do surgery, to slip a tube or something inside my dad's kidney to get at least one of the stones to pass through and quickly. They had to give him a double dose of morphine though as the pain was terrible. My cousin (who got the message) said that it was as close to the pain of childbirth that a man can get. I felt awful for my dad. I've had morphine and I can tell you it knocks you flat. At least it did me. For him to need two doses? Wow...
Woke up this morning and texted my mom, hoping to get more details. They were able to get one of the stones to pass through surgery and I guess they're trying to figure out how to get the second one through. My sister fainted from the lack of food while she was there, but at least she was already in a hospital. I wonder if they made her lie on a gurney...
So there's my bit of news. I hope my dad continues to get better, but let's hope it doesn't take long either.
My grandmother and grandfather are coming out to Missouri today! And they'll be here for a little under a week. Funny how a week ago, I was in Utah visiting them. There's actually a lot of family trips going on this month it seems Interesting how that works out. In fact, I'm going to tell you what's happening just so you can understand what I mean.
My mother and I went to Utah at the beginning of this month. My grandparents are coming out now. Instead of flying back, they will be traveling with my dad and brother back to Utah and they will stay there for about a week. A week after they return, my sister and a friend will be coming out here. That should roughly be in the first part of June. At the end of June, my family will be traveling to Utah again for another trip (as school will be out and everyone will be able to go). When they come back, my aunt's family might come out in July to visit us.
So in under three months there will be a total of...six trips to and from Missouri and Utah. Isn't that insane?! We're a traveling family. ;) I won't be traveling with my family in June due to the fact that several people want me to go back to Utah in August, if not later in the year. I need to save the monies! And hopefully find a job, but we're not getting into that.
Busy, busy, busy!
Well, it's good to be home again, though I still miss the mountains. I don't think I'll ever get over that. I'm glad I got a lot of pictures, even if I wasn't able to go up the canyon. That would have been nice, but beggars can't be choosers. Perhaps things will be different if/when I get the chance to go out in August.
Thursday and Friday were spent at Women's Conference, and over all, it was a wonderful experience. The speakers I listened to were very much inspired and while I may have fallen asleep towards the end of both days, I still really enjoyed it. It was nice spending time with family, as I don't get to see my aunts and grandmother often. Of course, it wasn't all good. Ah, the joys of being female.
Saturday was fun. I got to spend a good deal of time by myself at first, but I was picked up by Nick around 2:30 (if not later lol). We were going to go see a movie, but then decided to go see Alisa instead, who wasn't feeling well. We talked with her for a while before Lamoni and his wife, Nelly, joined us and then the three of us scooted off to Zupos. To be honest, I wasn't absolutely amazed, but it was rather good. Maybe I should have gotten a sandwich and soup instead of a salad. *shrugs* We'll never know.
After Zupos, we went to Wendy's for Frosties and Fries. Who doesn't love that combination? Nick apparently. He said it was gross. He's so weird. We met up with Eric at Wendy's and after a while we decided to go back to Alisa's to play a game. Lamoni and Nelly went home instead of coming with us. Eric went to pick up a couple friends, Necia and someone we hadn't met name Sueon. The six of us sat down to play Phase 10 (my first time) and it was a blast. I'm hoping I can share a video of that night with all of you somehow. :D
Sunday was spent with family, mostly at their Stake Conference. It was a relaxed day so that was nice. Nothing eventful happened though. Monday was a get ready to go home day, though we did have our fun. We went to the Training Table as a family, to Burlington Coat Factory after our meal, and then to see my sister's apartment. It was rather nice, other than the carpet. She and her roommates want to get that changed soon.
Tuesday we flew home and that ended the trip. Overall, it was really nice. And I miss my mountains, but I'm sure I'll survive. :)
Our flight got canceled this morning due to maintenance. I'm not too happy about it. We had great boarding passes all ready to go (A25 and A26) and I was ready for the long flight (over 4 hours). Then we get the call that it's canceled and they've put us on a later flight. On top of that, we have to go through all the boarding passes again. *BLAH*
Fortunately, we're still on the A boarding, but just barely. We're numbers 59 and 60, the last two. At least my mom and I will still be able to sit by each other and possibly put our bags in the same overhead cargo bin. At least I can hope.
What a way to end a trip, right? *sigh*
I was reflecting on when my mom and I had flown into Utah last Wednesday and I remember how excited I was to be flying over the Great Salt Lake and being able to see the mountains. It was just a relief to see all of it really, because I feel at home with the mountains.
Strangely enough I feel at home in the hills and trees of Missouri too. I suppose I"ve gotten use to it, but I still find it strange. I love the mountains more, but I've grown to love the mass of green you see in the spring and summer of MIssouri. Is there somewhere I can go to get a happy medium? ;)
I'd love to move back to Utah, but I don't think that's going to happen any time soon. I've often thought about moving to Colorado, but I'm not totally sure on that either. :/ Talk about indecision. But just seeing the Great Salt Lake and mountains was awesome. :) Though the wet weather has kind of been a little annoying. haha Just kidding.
