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Life Is Good
Wednesday night was awful. Ashtyn went to bed around midnight. I turned the lights off close to 2:30 am, and at 4:30 am Ashtyn woke up and the only thing she could whisper was, “Mom, lay with me.” Sometimes she likes me to lay in her bed and other times she doesn’t I asked her, as…
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There is No Such Thing as a Bad Day
At the hospital there doesn’t seem to be a big difference between the day and night. Ashtyn is constantly being woken up every few hours, there are meds to be given at all hours of the day and night, and she has to go to the restroom every 3 hours no matter what time it is. This…
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We All Have A Part To Play
ANC is an important medical term in cancer: Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is a measure of the number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that fights against infection. A normal ANC is above 1,500 cells per microliter. An ANC less than 500 cells/µL is defined as neutropenia and significantly increases the risk of…
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Ashtyn’s Siblings Come To Visit
Yesterday Ashtyn really wanted Chandler, Morgan, and Ethan to come and visit her. She hadn’t seen them in 12 days and missed them terribly. I think Ashtyn also needed to see them to help recognize her strength and ability to be apart from them for now. My other kids needed to see Ashtyn healthy, happy, confident, strong,…
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I Need Thee Every Hour
Why is it that most Sunday mornings I have the same thought come to mind? “I am so tired. I don’t want to go to church today.” But every Sunday I push through that thought, hop out of bed, get my dress on, and head to church. Whether the three hours at church is remarkable…
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In Her Own Words
FROM ASHTYN: I was at school and didn’t feel well. I felt like collapsing so I called my mom to pick me up. She came in and I told her I needed to go to the doctor. We went to the Holladay Instacare. I was really scared because I have always hated getting poked with…
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I Could Not Have Planned It Better Myself
In the past I have always been one to plan. For years my Franklin Day Planner never left my side. I then converted to Google calendar downloaded to my iPhone. Each morning I had a good idea what my day had in store. Since being in the hospital I live hour by hour, not knowing how…
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Fortifying and Gathering Reinforcements
OK Ashtyn’s Army, we are all fortifying our battlefields and preparing for war! I can feel it! Ashtyn’s Army is increasing in number, strengthening in faith, and rallying in service. Comments are being heard, prayers are being offered, hearts are being touched, love is being poured out, visits are adding strength, efforts are gathering, children are…
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As good as it gets in the hospital
I’m sitting with Ashtyn watching Ratatouille and am feeling such joy. Yes you heard me, joy. Joy because of the day Ashtyn had. Joy for the support that surrounds us. Joy because of peace. Joy because of hope. Today was the best day yet. What made today so good? Nothing went wrong. On top of…
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Preparing For Battle
Monday night Ashtyn fell asleep submerged in depression. I worried about how she would feel when she woke up in the morning. Around 1:30 pm I realized there were three things that needed to be worked on today: 1. Ashtyn needed a shower and hadn’t had it in her to take one. 2. She hasn’t…
