Gregs Story

The Friday before Christmas Greg came home and his back hurt but it had been a long week, we just went to bed. The next day was crazy Christmas shopping, Greg put on his back brace and away he went. We got home in the afternoon and Greg asked me to look at his back, it was leaking and a little swollen.  I told him to get in the car we were going to the ER. We were hoping for a shot and home. Nope 6+ hours later he was sent to the hospital in an ambulance with a pain drip line, pain and swelling had gone up the whole time in the ER. Not even morphine was touching it.

Greg had a staph infection in his back. He had to have another invasive back surgery to scrape out the infection, blessing it had not hit his spine. He had to stay in the hospital for 10 days. They would not let the kids into the hospital.  Denali could of but he said mom I will not do that to my siblings.

There were so many blessings that happen during this time.

All the kids really had to grow their independence while I visited Greg.  I was so proud of them all helping each other.  Denali gained a huge since of responsibility towards his siblings.

We had tons of phone calls and text from family and ward members.  I was able to get 2 ward members to come to the hospital and give Greg a blessing.

Thanks to google meet: Greg was able to sing to the kids a few nights. We talked a lot over google meet, he was so board. Greg did had a roommate 90% of the time. 

They told Greg that because of the new year and insurance he was going to have to stay till the first. He was NOT ok with that and got out 2 days early.  When we were all checked out they said that transport would be about 2 hours.  I asked if we could refuse transport (Greg walked the halls all day) they said yes if he can walk, 2 min later we were at the elevator.

I did not tell the kids he was getting out, when he walked in it was surreal to them. No yelling or cheering almost reverent. For the first few days they just wanted to touch him.

Greg did come home with a pick line. It is a permanent IV In his arm that goes into his heart. For 7 weeks we had to administer antibiotics through his pick line. In the morning, we have to flush it and put an anticoagulant in it. (2 syringes). At night flush it, antibiotic, anticoagulant, and flush again. He had home care, they had it scheduled to “teach” us for 2 or 3 days. (Then they only needed to come once a week to draw blood.) On the first day the guy said “you got this.” Syringes’ are the same human or animal. You can take the girl out of the country, but you cannot take the country out of the girl. Gregs back has the thickest stiches I have ever seen on a human. 

Laugh or cry we choose to laugh moments: Greg said that if he cannot poop on his own just let him die. Greg hated the hospital food. I took the kids out to eat a few times, anything to make them happy. They loved taking pictures of good food and sending them to Greg. Every day I would bring Greg something to eat. The kids did get to go to KFC, tradition.