Update on Dick

Today has been a difficult day for Dick. He has had a lot of pain in his back, probably from being in bed so long. We have given him back rubs and tried to turn him so that he would be more comfortable. He has also been sick to his stomach. The nurse gave him some medication to help with the nausea, as well as pain medication. He has slept a lot and that's good because that's how things heal. The swelling on the left side of his face and head is visible now. He looks like someone punched him in the eye. The doctor told us that he would have swelling for the first 48 hours and then things should improve.



Several people from the ward came to visit but he was really not up to visitors. He would just wave his hand and say: "Thanks for coming." Today was really not a good time for visitors. Perhaps tomorrow will be a better day for him. We took him on a couple of walks around the nurses' station, and that seems to help him a little. I think the anesthesia will be in his body for a while and that causes a lot of his sleepiness and nausea.






Amy has been here with us since Friday night, and she has been a great help. We have spent lots of time in the hospital and had some good chats. Ryan and Billy gave Dick a blessing this afternoon and that was very nice. Jenny and Billy stayed up at the hospital while the rest of us came home to eat. People have brought in bread and a meal and notes of love.

Amy and I went to our ward for church this morning, and the theme of the meeting was on President Eyring's November 2008 Conference talk on "Adversity." The talks were very pertinent to many of us in our ward, as there have been an unprecedented amount of illness in our ward in the last six months: breast cancer, thyroid cancer, broken back, a brain tumor, three deaths, etc. After the speakers had spoken, the bishop stood up and asked us to specifically pray and fast for those in our ward who are struggling physically and mentally. Many people are having difficult problems right now. But, we have faith in our Savior and know that he will stand beside us through the hard times. He knows all about them. Many people came up to us after church and expressed their love and concern. It's wonderful to know that so many people are praying for us and are willing to help out. We have felt the power of prayer during this time. Thank you.