April 20, 2020

HEARING HIM through Friends

Recently our prophet has encouraged us to focus on the ways we HEAR HIM.
I am grateful for my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I know it is true.  I don't question or doubt.  It isn't in me.  I know I am one of the lucky ones.

I have thought about the prophets question and wondered if I knew how my Heavenly Father spoke to me.  Was I always listening?  Do I Hear Him when he is trying to reach me?

This last month has been a challenge.
March 14: we had to put Daisy down.
I adored my little Daisy.  She was like a child to me.  I get embarrassed to admit it but it is what it is and I absolutely LOVED that dog.
She was sick. I knew it.  I didn't want her to suffer.
After several sleepless night, I approached Aaron and told him that after taking her to her scheduled appointment, if her numbers were worse, we should probably put her down.
Although the vets advised the same, ultimately, I made the decision.
That decision has eaten me alive for the past five weeks.
I have cried EVERY SINGLE DAY.
I beat myself up and feel so much guilt and regret.
I wish so much that I could go back in time.

Sunday morning
Aaron and I were talking about my sadness.  I had tried to hide from my kids and Aaron when I am emotional or having my daily bawl session.  But Aaron knows me and knew I was struggling.  I finally sobbed and told him how embarrassed I am.  How I wish I could move on.  How I wish I could stop crying.  How I put up a front and say "I am okay", but I am not.
I tried to blame some of my emotions on this quarantine, but again, Aaron knew better.  Of course he tried to console me and remind me that I wasn't to blame, but he allowed me to cry.

I never questioned God about this.  I didn't shake my testimony.  I didn't feel like I needed Heavenly Father to say "I am here - it's okay". I wasn't searching for answers.

Back to Sunday morning
After my melt down, I went about the day.  We did our home sacrament meeting.  We did Come Follow Me Mosiah 4-6.  We ate a nice lunch and I played Wackee 6 with my kids. I didn't cry again.  I wasn't looking for answers.  I wasn't praying for comfort. I did what I do every day.  I cry and then hide my sadness and go about the day.

Sunday night
I got in bed.  That was the first time I had checked my emails.

I have a friend that I still consider one of my BEST FRIENDS/SISTER even though we don't talk much anymore.  She lived right next door to me during dental school.   She now lives in Texas and although many miles separate us, when we do talk, it is as if we lived right next door and we don't skip a beat.

We haven't talked much lately, but this was her email:

Hey Dawn, 
This has been one of my favorite songs lately. For some reason today I kept feeling like I should share it with you. Maybe you've heard it? It's kind of a tear jerker, but has the best message about faith, hope and healing through our trust in Christ and his atonement. I thought you would love it. Alyssa 




Naturally, I clicked on the link.
As the song played, I read the lyrics provided in the link.
As you can imagine ... TEARS
Not because of Daisy this time - Because I knew I was HEARING HIM.
I love Alyssa with all my heart.  I dare say she is probably one of the BEST people I have ever met.  She doesn't hesitate when she feels a prompting.  She HEARS HIM ask and she does.

As I said my prayers Sunday night, I thanked my Heavenly Father for Alyssa.  I thanked Him for friends messages.  I also thanked Him for letting me know he is aware of me.  He knows how I am feeling - EXACTLY.  I HEARD HIM and was so grateful.

March 15, 2020

Daisy 4/15/2015 - 3/14/2020

It's been a HARD week. 

For the past two weeks we have noticed Daisy shivering, not eating much, and hiding in my closet.  She also would panic any time I left her.  She would follow me to the door and cry at the door the entire time I was gone.  Almost unconsolable. I wondered if she got in to something. She threw up last Thursday. Then her personality changed. Sad and seemed depressed. Tuesday March 10th, she slept all day but had horrible blood shot eyes.  I finally called the vet and explained her symptoms. They had me bring her in immediately.  




After seeing her and taking blood, they assumed she had gotten into something - medication or something toxic.  He labs came back, Kidney failure/low platelets. Fusions through out stomach & GI. Bleeding Ulcers... they said we basically need a miracle. I waited too long to take her to the vet. They sent us to the Advanced Veterinary Care/Hospital.  She was admitted Wednesday March 11th at 10 pm.  





Dr. Janell Sharber and Dr. Bachmann updated us Thursday morning.  The critical care doctor said she did the ultrasound on the abdomen and there are several fusions throughout her stomach and G.I. tract. Basically those are blockages were Edema (fluid build up) and swelling is taking place. Not sure what’s causing that could be from the kidney failure but there is swelling and fluid buildup throughout her abdomen. There are several gastric ulceration‘s which are holes throughout the stomach and G.I. tract… also Obviously a platelet dysfunction which is preventing any clotting so she’s bleeding throughout her abdomen as well. Kidney function got worse overnight so they quit pushing the fluids because all of the fluids are backing up into her as well. They are going to try mannitol which is a medication /diuretic to hopefully flush the kidneys and try to remove some of the edema and see how she responds to that. 


I know my Daisy.  She HATES other dogs and loves to be with family.  I felt if we visited her, it may pep her up and give her energy/will to live.  We visited her at the hospital at 11 am.  She wagged her tail and cuddled with us but then moved away from us to try to feel better.  They say dogs hide when they don't feel well or are dying.  I guess they don't want their family to see them weak or sick.







After leaving Daisy at the hospital, I knew in my heart/gut that she wasn't going to survive.  I told Aaron we needed to go get her. We picked her up Thursday March 12 at 9:45 pm.  We stopped to get her meds and soft food and she barfed in car.  That night Aaron slept in the basement and I tried to get Daisy to sleep with me.  If she wasn't sick, she would have LOVED that.  But she was up ALL night going in and out of the house.  I thought she was going potty or getting fresh air, but she was throwing up each time and then trying to bury it so we didn't see.  It was AWFUL.

Friday March 13 (fitting date) was more of the same.  She would only drink, refused ALL food and treats, even people food.  I would find her in the back of my closet.  We had to FORCE her meds down her throat with a syringe. We even tried to feed her food that way just to try to get her any nutrients in her. She started to roam around the yard eating grass and digging.  I hoped she was Rallying but that wasn't the case. At 5pm I found her in Kenzie’s closet. I tried to pick her up to move her and bring her upstairs but she was so Mean, wouldn’t budge.  She would never bite me so I knew she was sick. That night she was extremely restless - going outside a lot. 


Saturday morning March 14th, I told Aaron I felt we needed to go back to the vet, retest her labs, and if she was worse, I would be brave and let her go.  If she was the same or better we would continue this awful cycle.  

We got to the vet and did labs.  She was much worse.  The only good thing we learned was this wasn't caused from a toxin - it was something she had had for a while and we didn't know.  She is only 5 years old.  Nothing made sense. We took her home and cried, snuggled her, and cried A LOT more.  





Aaron called Errand of Mercy - Scott Echols.  He arrived at 5 pm. Daisy had been getting up and down to go outside.  It was a cold and windy day, but she insisted on siting up at the top of the yard and just sit and stare out. When this vet/doctor arrived she ran from him.  She is such a smart dog.  She knew she didn't want anything to do with him.  I hated cornering her knowing what was going to happen. He gave her a sedative and then another shot and she was gone.

Never again will I choose a dog's death date.  It has destroyed me.  I feel horrible guilt and so much sadness. Daisy was MY little buddy.  I adored that dog.  I would change my days schedule to hang out with her.  I worried about her.  I LOVED my Daisy!!












January 25, 2020

Maui 2020

Maui 

I love our annual trip to Maui for Aaron's Birthday.  I love spending time with Aaron.  I am a lucky lady.   



We arrived on January 16th. Aaron has been fighting a cold.  Flying and travel had him a little worn down but what better place to relax and feel better than in Maui. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures this trip.  I just enjoyed the scenery. 



Friday January 17th was rainy so we tried something new - Slappy Cakes.  We will definitely make this a tradition.  Dinner was at Kimos. 




Saturday we went to the Farmers market.  It was still rainy so we shopped Front Street and ate at one of our favorite places, Lahaina fish co.

Sunday we watched the Chiefs play the 49ers, ate at Cheeseburger in Paradise and relaxed at the hotel. 

Monday we shopped Whalers Village and the Cannery sweatshirt, and ended up at Down the hatch on front street for dinner. 

The sun came out Tuesday and Wednesday and we finally enjoyed some beach time! 

We headed home Thursday.  Its a favorite vacation and the best way to start each year!





Flights: $2700

Rental car: $

Honua Kai $2830


Thursday: 

Cafe Rio lunch: $16

Airport $16

Groceries $61


Friday:

Aaron sick cold 

Kimos $92 (A- lobster top D- Thai yummy)

ABC $15

Slappy cakes $33

Valet $5

Parking $8

Beach with Rain 

Longs Drug $31 (sewing kit)


Saturday:

Aaron sick cold

Farmers market $10

Dukes $34

Beach with rain 

Lahaina fish co $99  (A- bison D- Mac nut)

Batam ice cream $10 (haupia)

Quicksilver $54

Amigos $18

Lucky $22


Sunday:

Football (chiefs & 49ers win)

Beach

Cheeseburger in Paradise $45

ABC $43

Dukes $28


Monday:

Whalers Village açaí bowl $14

ABC $24

Cannery sweatshirt $31

Down the hatch $55

ABC $14


Tuesday:

Dukes $47

Bubba Gumps $63

Quicksilver $41

Banana republic $18


Wednesday:

Farmers market $25

Lahaina fish co $120 (pasta 👎🏻 bison 👍🏻)

ABC $24

Quicksilver $12

Lotion store $10


Thursday:

Dukes $47