Heading Home!

I hope I didn't get you too excited. I(RaeAnn) am the one going home not Roy or Dad. We have some neighbors who stopped in Mesa yeasterday to go to the temple. The offered to take me back with them to Idaho Falls. So I am leaving my family here to go back to Idaho and my Family and school there. It is kind of a bitter sweet. I am sad about leaving my mom, dad, Roy, and the Hornes.

We just took this photo Sunday morning so you can see how we all look. as we are starting to go back to our lives. We would not have made it this fare so well with out everyone playing there part to the fuliest.

Like a fountain unto all lands

2/26/10



I was planning on a short and boring update for you all but we have had a change in that. This morning I woke up and did not have to go into the hospital, but Roy had Blood tests scheduled. So Beth took him to the hospital. I was retaining a great deal of fluids and was concerned about it so I did call the Clinic and they gave her some Lasixs to give to me.



Roy had a good report from the doctor, all though Roy thinks he should be doing better than he is.



When Roy and Beth got back to the Horne's they laid down for a rest. I stood up and walked into the Kitchen and started to leak. Although leak may not be the right word. It was more like a guesser. I was gushing assiceeds fluid from my incision line. by the time I could get Beth into the Kitchen to help me I had dropped about a Gallon of fluid on the floor. Beth was bending over trying to help me get the drenched socks off my feet. I bent over slightly and ended squirting her. I felt like a Greek statue water fountain. After calling the Mayo Clinic and being assured that although it is not normal for this to happen it is not something to be concerned about. "the leakage is expected but the quantity not quite." As long as I keep my incision clean and the leakage stays clean then we don't need to worry. But it certainly made the day quite exciting. I am sure my wife would rather change a wet baby than her wet husband. The incident dashed my hopes of an uneventful day.

Jeff

Hospital are for sick people.

Good Morning!!!!! It is a great day hear in Phoenix. I was released from the Hospital yesterday afternoon at about 1630 hours. The Doctors were all worried about me being in the hospital around all the sick people. They said Hospitals are for sick people and I am not longer sick. They have given me a tentative schedule and I will be having to be back at the Mayo Clinic for Blood work and other ongoing assessments on , most Tuesday's and Thursdays with a few other days thrown in at least until March 24th.

Roy got released also about noon. so we are both staying in Mesa at 3658 E Palm Street, Mesa AZ. 85215. Cell phone numbers all still good.

Will update more latter

Jeff

words from Jeff

I thought ya'll would all like to see the whites of Jeffs eyes. love Beth

I thought I would take a few minutues and make some personal coments. First let me once again thank everyone out there that has given a prayer, a positive thought or a well wish towards us. I know at times this journy never seemed to be coming to an end. As I lay here in this hospital bed looking back, the journey seems unreal. Thanks for hanging with me through this, I couad not have made it with out you all,

I do feel a lot of pain from the surgery but I feel so much better from the new liver it is GREAT.

What a great gift for Roy to give me. It has not been easy sailing for him today was a rough day for him. I had a pretty great day got up and walked got most of the lines out of my body and have been feeling pretty good. I stilll have a way to go but each day should get easier. The people here at the Mayo Clinic are the Best. They treat you so good and are always looking for the little things that make the diffrence.

I look forward to getting home and back into life. I have so much I owe everyone especialy my Heavenly Father.

We have not seen my old liver yet but are told we can see it tuesday at pathoilgy. Also the Surgery team took some pictures for us of Roy and I going through the surgery we will get to see them Monday. I hope these blogs gave been helpfull for you all

Thanks again love Jeff Beth,Roy, AND RaeAnn

Post-OP Day Two; Up and At'm!

Well today a lot has been accomplished. Dad has walked several times. He was able to get two drains and several IV's and tubes removed. Around 5 o'clock he was moved out of the Intermediate wing into the C wing. He is now just three doors down from Roy.

Roy has had a rough day. They took him off his Morphine this morning, so his pain has been a little more apparent. He has had an upset stomach and discomfort in his abdomen. The doctors say it will get better as soon as his bowls "wake up" (sorry I am sure that is more than you wanted to know.)

It will be interesting to see who is doing the best tomorrow.

Love Y'all,
RaeAnn

Post-OP Day One

Dad wanted me to label this picture, "Jeff and his Hero." but I think it should be "A Hero's Hero"

Roy has been doing exceptionally well. The Doctors and nurses say he is a text book case. Everything about him is Perfect, including hit temp of 98.6. He was up and walking around by 11:00 and had all but the one major IV removed by 3:00. The nurses are impressed with how polite he is and are constantly getting onto him for apologizing about everything. I guess some people never change - not that I would want him to.

Dad has been having a hard time keeping up with Roy but is still making progress. He was moved out of the ICU and up to the third floor. He is just about 50yds from Roys room.

Roy has made two trips to see Dad on the third floor so far tonight and would like to make more if Dad weren't so tired.

All seems to be going good here, and the kids at home seem to be doing pretty good as well. Ashlee is pretty bummed because the girls basketball team lost the championship game tonight in Boise. The band and cheerleaders had gone up there to cheer them on. She will be getting back to IF early tomorrow morning.

Finally I would like to thank all those who have sent us messages of encouragement. And the Office for the flowers. Sadly we were informed, Flowers were not allowed in the hospital due to infections and allergies. We are grateful for the thought anyway.

Thank you

RaeAnn

Address

We have had several people ask for the address for both Roy and My Dad here at the Mayo Clinic.

5777 East Mayo Boulevard
Phoenix, Arizona 85054

Roy is in room 310 West


As Hospital Policy and in consideration to the patients we must ask that you do not send Latex Balloons or Potted plants.

He is out!!

Dad is out of Surgery and in recovery for about an hour until they take him to the ICU. Dr. Mulligan says he did great and that it took them 5 1/2 hrs to get the sick liver out. All seems to be doing good for now.

Thank you to everyone who fasted, prayed, and had us their thoughts throughout this day and this whole ordeal. We know that things would not have gone as smoothly as it did if it weren't for the love of our family, friends and our Heavenly Father.

Almoste There...

Well I am finally in Roy's room with him. He is hooked up to three different machines (that I can tell) and has about a half a dozen tubes coming from him. He is pretty out of it but seems to be doing good. He doesn't like to talk when he wakes up but likes to hear us talk to him.

Dad is still in Surgery as far as I am aware. The Nurse informed us about 6:30 that he took to Roy's liver exceptionally well, and that it started "pinking up" almost instantly (that is good.) The last we heard he was having his hernias repaired and then he would be closed up and shipped off to ICU for recovery. Mom is in the waiting room downstairs waiting for Dr. Mulligan to come and tell her all is well. As soon as he does, I will update again and we will go from there.

One Down and One to Go!

Roy is out of Surgery and Dr. Mulligan said he did great. They are bandaging him up and getting him settled before we are allowed to see him. Dad is in the OR and they will start operating soon.

One down and one to go.

The Race Begins

Well the race has begun. Roy left for surgery about 8:00 and so now we are just hanging out in Dad's room waiting for his turn. The Doctors think Roy's surgery will take about 5 hrs including the prepping. After they start harvesting Roy's liver, Dad will be taken back and prepped for his surgery which will take anywhere from 6-15 hrs. his is going to be a little trickier because they not only have to remove his old liver but then form a new bile duct to attach his new liver to.
The Doctors seemed very upbeat and positive, Roy has been having fun making puns with the Doctor's names such as " Dr. Mulligan, There are no mulligans with this." (A Mulligan is a do over in golf.) and "Dr. Grim has a rather Grim personality." Dr. Grim is the anaesthesiologist and so Roy doesn't consider her a very close friend but has had fun teasing her all the same.
Mom and I are just hanging out with Dad in his room. It is not very exciting but we have been busy updating everyone. It is turning out to be a LONG Day (Roy would be proud of me for that pun.) Stay tuned for more exciting news from the Long Family Saga.

Happy Valentines Day We Are On Our Way

This is Ashlee Jeff's daughter this picture was taken this morning just before we went our seperate ways. Mom and RaeAnn are on their way to Phoenix they are driving as far as Kanab, Utah tonight. My Dad is staying at Paul and Tina's house tonight and their son Jared will drive him to the airport on Monday where he will fly to Phoenix. Us kids Aaron, Timothy, and I will be staying at neighbors house for the next six weeks if everything goes well. We are grateful to our family, friends, and neighbors for the prayers and the love and support.
Thank you so much,
The Jeff Long Family
Happy Valentines Day

Valentines Update.

The Trip has began. We had to be in SLC on Friday 02/12/10 to see the Intermountain Transplant Clinic for our three month check in. So we loaded up the van and Beth and I and the 3 kids at home Ashlee, Aaron and Timothy headed for SLC. We are staying at Beth's brothers house in Tremonton. We are trying to make a fun weekend for the kids before we leave them for 6-8 weeks. Sunday the kids head back to IF with some GREAT ward members and Beth and RaeAnn start driving for Phoenix. I am going to fly from SLC to Phoenix on Monday (02/15/10). Mayo Clinic wants us there Tuesday morning (02/16/10) for pre-op. tests and classes on what to expect and how to care for me after transplant. That is Tuesday and Wednesday. Then Friday morning (02/19/10) Roy (my oldest son) has to be at the Mayo at 0530 am for surgery. I have yet to be told when to be there.

The Drs. in SLC wish me luck and see no reason for it not to go ahead. That in mind a lot can happen in a week. So stay tuned. We will try and keep the Blog and email up dated.

I know this sounds old but it is so very true. Thank You so much for all your prayers and support. Our lifes have been touched so many ways!!! I would love to name everybody that has reached out and help us but there are way to many and I know I would miss several.

Please know that I know that I am a child of God. A God that knows me personally and watches out for me and blesses me. He sent his Son Jesus Christ to this earth to be a Redeemer for me and to save us. He supports me through my trails and bares my burdens for me when I grow to weary.
May the Love of God fill you life

Thanks Jeff

FYI: Third Time is NOT the Charm

So I discovered the third time is NOT the charm. Mom and Dad flew to SLC early Wednesday morning only to spend all day fasting and then get turned away from another liver due to a rash-fungus-thing on Dad's stomach. The rash was right where they were going to be making the incision so the doctor didn't feel safe proceeding. So instead of receiving a new liver Dad was given a prescription for an anti-fungal cream and sent home. The doctor said that it should go away withing two weeks but that he would be willing to do the transplant in one week if he got the opportunity.

Roy finished his testing in Phoenix on Friday and has been working with the Elders there since then. He should find out on Wednesday if he is a good donor. If he is then we could be going to Phoenix as soon as the 15th. Keep your fingers crossed.

Thank you again for all the support. Sorry about letting you down again we don't mean to cause this false excitement.

RaeAnn