Cody’s Event Slide Show

So I saw an other AFAF recipient (thanks Smith family for the idea!) post their slide show and thought I should also..cause 1- I barely remembered it from that night and 2- I know many others that are close to us would like to see it again.

Thanks again to all those that truly helped us out that day and everyday since.

Updated For Thoughts??

Well I should be in bed at the moment, in a matter of a few hours we are headed somewhere that is so much deserved for Cody.  We are going to Lake Powell, and so excited to be with family and just have a great time.  We get the opportunity to have a special vacation to create good memories, to help us endure what is to come.  Yes granted we will be ready to be home( there will be 29 “Anderson’s on one house boat!)  But still so excited about the trip.
Recently Cody went in for a MRI and MRCP – routine procedures while on the wait list.  Pretty much they are cancer scans to verify that there is still no cancer and also to check progress of how the Liver is doing.  It is hard that for those that do find cancer, they have to solve the Cancer before they can be “back on the list”  If something like that happens then you are put on a hold status till cancer free.  Seems rough! We still have not gotten results, but where Cody’s MELD score is lower they focus on patients according to their score and also no news is good news.  But it is still its hard where we will be out of town might miss the call  Other Doc appointments have all turned out good nothing to worry too much about.   And Cody overall feeling okay, he has his days.  I have noticed the fatigue is getting him more now, but he still will wrestle with the boys, take them on four wheeler rides,  and just being the great Dad that he is…Sometimes its hard to watch them cause one day he wont be able to do that…The times I think of it is at nights after family prayer they all have just a sweet moment that will be terribly missed when the time comes that they will be apart for who knows how long.  Breaks my heart for all 3 of them.  I just keep trying to tell myself that he will feel better one day and be able to do it even BETTER in the future to make up for lost time.
Its funny how our life has changed in so many ways these past 8 months I look at it and ponder about it.  One experience that has really changed is how we are treated… I am still trying to decide if all of it is good?  Or Bad?  Its really hard to explain, it is almost frustrating how some people almost act differently to us now??  I don’t know! Just can not explain it.  Cause I think we just are told and/or not told in light of our circumstances?  One thing that I have loved though is knowing how many people do love and care for us.  It is amazing how you can only meet some people just once for an instance and you already care for the well being of them, and them for us.  We have met so many amazing people in our life that are only enriching our lives and many others too.   Sorry such a bum post but wanted to give an update but needed to get my thoughts out??  Love to all, thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.  luv always – A

Our Definition OF Friends

This is a photo of Cody and his best friends, they all came to support Cody at the Event.

I wish this photo was better quality but is not but to us it is still worth more then a million words!    These Men are amazing!  All I had to do was ask, they were there with everything I needed and a lot more.  In the beginning it was really hard for Cody to ask for help with the fundraiser.  But we both knew that we wanted his friends involved I called them and they were so willing to be there for me.  Not only them but their wives/significant others too!  If it was not for them I do not know how parts of the Event would have worked out.  They did it, they helped us have the success that Cody deserved.
Its funny how when I first met Cody I found it so odd that he was still bestest friends with those from his childhood, they were really too good of friends!  They have all been through a lot together and will still be together through thick and thin.  But now after 9 years of knowing them I call them some of my own, best friends.  They were and are there for us.  I remember last time we dealt with Cody’s illness when he was not able to work prior to his big surgery I sat and bawled my eyes out to one of them of my concerns my stress and anxieties over everything and he simply just asked: ” What can I do Amy?  Tell me what you need?  I will do it.”  Simple as that I told him, and he was there.  Not to mention the next time and the time after that, and still last December when this all started unraveling again he was there not alone but in ten fold with all their friends to help Cody through this rough battle that we call life.
So this is a special thanks to those that I know do not want to be named but you know who you are.  You have helped make this journey more bearable knowing you will be there when I need you to be there for Cody thank you from the bottom of my heart.   You are the true definition of what a Friend is.
Lots of Love and Gratitude  -A-

This poem was written for Cody and I.  It was read to us the night of the event, by Brenda Smith (she was the only one that could have held the emotions in)  My dear sweet Aunt/Cousin had it written for us by a friend, just by someone reading my jumbling of words from this blog.

A Softer Way To Land

In a spinning rush of swirling air

A free-fall; building speed.

Suddenly the world goes quiet-

At the point of greatest need.

Looking up there is a parachute-

A softer way to land,

And he rides the gentle wind to earth

On its freely offered hand.

Many days have passed uncertainly

Too many nights in sleepless fear-

But when darkness seemed to smother,

Friends arrived- the way to clear.

A Dentist with a loving hand –

To ease a crushing weight,

And family who could take the kids –

And not even hesitate.

When health can be elusive,

And the patience starts to thin-

A loving wife with quiet strength

Has been there to pull him in.

Waiting fills their waking hours –

And like a thief it steals their sleep,

And yet with tender mercy –

A host of hands, their vigil keep.

Now the wait for Cody’s lifeline

May seem much too hard to bear –

And to those who may stand watching,

The path he walks may not seem fair.

Yet he and Amy know a secret,

That not all are blessed to know;

That the hands of love extended,

Only cause their faith to grow.

Now the parachute will carry them,

And lead them gently to the ground-

To wrap them warmly in the miracle

Where love and hope is always found.

–Vicki B Wright

*May 31, 2011

My Selfish Feelings

Well I still need to post my thoughts on how the event went but I am waiting for pictures cause my words just can not do its justice!  Once receive those will post right away I have written most of the post just wanted those pics!
But I had an experience that was so much fun!  Many ask Becky Anderson(Founder of Anything For A Friend) how she can help so many people and do all that Anything For A Friend does.  She always answers: "It is really kinda selfish the reasons that I do. "
Well this last Thursday Becky asked me to go down to a recipients meeting due to her needing to be at an other recipients meeting.  I of coarse was excited to go now that we can pay it forward.  Me and my Mom and boys in tow headed down to West Jordan to Samantha Milborn's Grandmothers home where her committee was meeting.  We listened and added any input we could.  As the night was going I realized that I was the expert, I was the one they came to.  Yea these may be bad thoughts to admit out loud but I am a person that likes to be in control and the one that likes to be in the know.  But I felt like what I was doing was helping but...was so very selfish!   I totally understand what Becky is talking about!  It is so exciting to see somebody get a sense of relief from a simple comment or their lost thoughts start to be found.  All this may sound very selfish but, paying it forward is going to be great!  It is amazing the people that you can meet in life, at that meeting there were many that were hurt by the recent diagnosing of Samantha, but are coming to realize that what they are doing will really help Samantha and her family but will also help themselves.
I was asked later about all the many wonderful people that are involved with the Anything For A Friend family and how they are all very special people and all so loving and caring.  I believe we were all to be together for this purpose, we were all meant to have these trials so that we could meet and then learn the real meaning of life and then serve our fellow brothers and sisters.  We are all children of God sent here to learn, and to serve one an other.  We as a family have forever been changed by Cody's recent diagnosing not just due to the trial itself, but also because of our hearts have been opened to so many wonderful people that we will never be able to pay back, the only way we feel to pay others back is by helping others the way we were helped in our time of need.

Standard Examiner Article

We made the news! 

But some info was left out about our fun filled day of Fundraising.  Our city is helping also through a benefit BREAKFAST at: Stake Activity Bldg 1500 W 250 N, MSC from 8-10 am.  KSL news anchors Keith McCord and Dan Pope will be there handing out door prizes.

So grateful for our ward/City helping us out in a time of need.

To read the Article go to: www.standard.net/topics/features/2011/06/01/coming-together-help-top-utah-man-others

PSC Not All Wiskey and Drugs

A lot of times with any liver disease most often you will get stares that wonder how you got your liver disease to the point of failure and need a liver transplant.  Due to drinking? Or was it Drugs?   Luckily with living in Utah we do not get too many of those questions or stares but I have gotten a few.  But to some of my fellow liver transplant blogging friends they have had this issue and it comes more often then not.  I would like to blog along with them on PSC.
Cody’s condition comes not from anything he could have prevented.  He was diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis in 2006 and with UC the liver function is most often compromised.  March 2010 was when we started noticing Cody’s skin, and eyes turning more yellow-jaundice like so we decided to see a doctor about it.  Our doc that we normally went to was too booked and could not get us in soon so we went with an other doctor that we went to in the past.  He scheduled us for a liver biopsy in April.  From then we were advised of he had Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis or PSC.  And handed a written prescription to start taking.  With that we did not ever asking any other questions.  And honestly were never told the severity of the disease.
December of 2010 Cody started showing signs of bleeding internally.  We ventured up to the hospital where after a scope was performed they found a bleeding ulcer below his stomach.  Also while admitted the doctors started raising their concern of his yellow color.  Normally in December work for Cody slow’s down and this year did not, so we kept putting the Doctor appointment aside.  While speaking with the doctor(the Doc we should have gone to in the beginning-our doctor) he advised us the severity of the disease and what it all entailed.
Then began the Journey of “The Wait”  as detailed in many other post before.  But this is me on my Soap Box to let everyone know that liver failure is not all Whiskey and Drugs.  When someone that has an issue with any of those sort of things they do not get the same  luxuries as We get.  The have to prove themselves before they are even considered to start the process.  It is sober for so long admitting themselves to any type of meetings needed.  It is harder for them.  But when it comes to Decision day it does not change.  Still same guidelines:  1st Local/Regional -also considered Status one Acute Liver Disease less than 7 days to live. 2nd Local blood/tissue type, current MELD score, and body size.  3rd Regional (outside of our state) blood/tissue type, current MELD score, and body size.
So really you need to be sick and to the point that you will not survive.  It is really hard to understand that. Cody has been feeling so good lately, sometimes I find my self thinking how our life is feeling “normal”  I think I might jinx us by saying that.  Cause that is how I felt last December, getting ready for Christmas (early might I add!!-yea I am a total procrastinator!) and now anything can happen, at any time.
Its funny how through any life changing event yes you think you get back to normal but does it?  Our family has been dramatically changed, but for the good.  We are now taking our life to Pay-it-Forward.  I can not wait for the opportunity to do what others have done for us.  There is so much they have done.  But we will save those for an other post I am getting off subject.

We all have big changes in our life that are more or less a second chance.  But for me that change is a second chance at life.

Cody Anderson

May we all take this chance we have today to make the best of it.  Many have the chance to understand the reasons behind a disease or may judge the reasons behind it.

Just have to show of my so cute Birthday/Mothers Day gift!  Have to be some of the cutest kids I have ever seen!!!!

Whats An Other Year To You?

A year to me, Hutton will be 6 and finishing Kindergarten.  Huston will be 3 and running even faster then he already does.  Cody and Amy sorry leaving out the age here Who knows what they might be up to!  But to the point of the post….

Cody went in for his check up on the Tuesday the 3rd.  And all is well…actually better then well.  They were surprised at how well he was feeling, alot better then in January/February when we saw them last.   We talked about the current symptoms  that Cody currently has and any secrets to make them any more tolerable.  Cody has a bad case of itching, which is very very common for PSC or any type of liver disease.  They added to his medications to see if they could help him stop itching a little.  I hope so I am tired of seeing the injuries he gives himself from scratching too much.  Over all labs looked great there was a small spike on some of tests but not enough to worry.

Now they are telling us since his MELD score went down (was a 16 at listing and as of yesterday a 15) that it could easily be another 2 years before we will get a liver.  So it was a little rough to hear that.  Is it wrong I want my Husband to be sick?   Yea it sounds wrong in its own degree, but I feel like our life is going to stay on hold that much longer.  Are we going to be able to progress?  Or we on a stand still for the next 2 years?  Yes granted Cody will actually be able to have a decent summer and get to do some of the things that he wants, like our exciting Lake Powell trip that we have been looking forward to.  And of coarse the camping trips with the boys that Cody has so desperately wanted to teach the boys about.

At least for now and this summer we will be able to enjoy it and go do the things we wish and not worrying about missing the chance for a liver(yes if you go out of town you take the risk if losing a liver if one comes available, and you are not close enough to receive it.)

An Event To Change Your Life!

Last night we had the opportunity to attend Bob Eggett's Anything For A Friend Event.  It was amazing and then some!  The feeling that you felt was really honestly indescribable.  It showed really what the true meaning of Anything For A Friend really is.  We did not know many there, but you felt like you were amongst family.  They had an amazing turn out numbers were reporting around 1000+ they ran out of food and raised about $18K!!!  They had a kids corner that our little monkeys adored... Really did not see them most the night they were way too busy playing!
At the event Bob and Ingrid Eggett introduced the upcoming recipients Us, Cyndy Tangren, and Mila Garcia.  We had photo ops with all of the recipients from past and present, that came to support Bob and his family.  Please go read all of these amazing peoples stories.  I would tell you but Anything For A Friend's site tells it better.
It calmed alot questions that Cody and I have had in our minds.  We have been so very fortunate for all the many many people that have donated to our event.  Cody and I at times have not felt deserving of it.  But seeing what we saw in others eyes at the event calmed alot!  We know having that event and accepting the help really helps others.  From the event makes us just so much more excited for the many many events to come.  We have big dreams for Anything For A Friend just like they do.  We see our event as one of the first stepping stones of what is to come.  The next stepping stones will come in time but they will be close together and easy to acheive with our "friends".
We met some people that were friends of a past recipient, did not know Bob, besides his picture from the website, but were following their new "friends" and the last things they said to us as the left was: "See you on June 4th!"  Honestly that is what Anything For a Friend is really all about!
It was an amazing night, one I would not have missed for the world!  Can't wait for the many more to come!

Therapy

Well it has been quite a while since the last post.  Alot has happened, Cody continues to feel "all right?" he has felt a little pain with a slight fever and some major sleep insomnia but still great spirts and trying to stay active, seems to keep him feeling better.  Most days has to take a nap with Huston but over all doing good!  Just how we want it-I guess?-
Fundraising has gotten underway and is rolling really fast!  This week has been rough since the meeting on Wednesday I have gotten hardly any sleep! Always running up to my Mom's to talk about the fundraiser.  With AnyThing For A Friend by our sides we have and can accomplish alot.  Anything For A Friend had a "special" ran on them right after conference and has become ever more popular!  There was one "Angel" that watched the episode and then decided that she wanted to help, boy did she help!  Honestly can not even explain how many things she has donated!   Chantelle is a true example of a Daughter of God!  She told us she has been looking for someone to share this with and felt we really needed it.  Honestly we do not know eachother and have never met but she still has done so much for us and still finding more to do.  To see the many things donated by her company of Diviine Modestee go to Anything For A Friend and look under the donations.    We keep getting more and more people that are so willing to help us out.  There really are some great people in this world, I wish I could write about them all and thank them.  I hope I can one day.
Well my "therapy session" by what I mean is the starting the fundraising planning being fully engulfed in the planning and everything has been so very therapeutic!  It wipes out the negative completely.  It feels good to be able to do something and stay busy and feel like I have control of something.
We decided to change the 5k run to the same day as Cody's Mom was planning the benefit dinner.  With all the Cons it just seemed better to have an afternoon "fun run"  along side the dinner.   So it will be a great party, we are going to see people that we have not seen in the longest time.  Those people seem to be coming out of the woodworks!  It is amazing the people that we have heard about, ran into that know and care so much.  So we are having a meeting on the 16th at my Mom's house and in need of more people.  Leave a comment and I can give you the info you need to get there. 
Stay tuned in for more event info We will be doing pre-registering for the 5k and are working on getting that event page set up to have that started.    Will try and keep more posting coming I know I have forgot some things, till then  Love you all...A

Fear Not! Doubt Not!

What a week! Nothing crazy happened but just a rough one.  Don't worry all boys(big and little) are doing great! I have had a very rough week, I found a blog of a former liver transplant recipient(2007) and I stayed up way way too late and spent too many hours to count one night reading.  I thought when I started reading it, that it was good for me to know.  But as I climbed into bed that night and could not fall asleep I started doing too much "thinking" a few hours later finally asleep and the anxiety began.  It is amazing how your mind can dream up things.  After 4 days of emotional outbursts I was told by Cody I am no longer allowed to read that blog.  My poor family has had to deal with all of this! I compare this week to when we found out Cody needed the liver transplant and do now know which was worse since I knew more detail this time around. 

But gotta love Cody first he was mad that I let my mind wander that long before I said anything and that I read it.  But with the most sincere way any husband could, he calmed me of all my fears.  It is preatty bad cause he is the one getting the transplant not me!  And for ME to get anxiety is rare! He's always been the one that does enough worrying for the both of us.  But after that I felt better, of coarse still knew I had stuff work through I was able to finally "act" normal.  Still struggling a litte we went to church and had great lessons as always and we were reading in the New Testiment and honestly can't tell you what the lesson was about cause around the beginning we read a scripture: Matthew 14:31  

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

After that someone spoke up Fear Not! Doubt Not!  Then said again directly to Cody and patted him on the leg.  Little do they know what impression that they made on me.  Honestly it was what I needed to hear.  I know that if I fear not, and doubt not He will stretch out his hand and help me in my time of need if I keep my faith and do not doubt.  I always knew that but sometimes your mind gets away from you.  Well gets ALOT away from you.  I am grateful they were insipred to speak up in Sunday School today. 

On a lighter note Fundraising is underway moving along greatly!  Marjean has gotton the June 4th event going and it is running very fast.  She has some very chosen sisters that have been so willing to help us in our time of need.  April 6th is our first meeting for the Walk/Ride/Run 5k hope to be scheduled for July 9th.  We have also been accepted by Anything For A Friend a nonprofit organizaion that will help us get the word out about the 5k and really help us with whatever we need.  We are really lucky to have Anything For A Friend besides us. 

Mom and I went and met with Yes!Utah we want to help with donor awareness.  We met with somebody that wants to help us and help get others to be at our fundraisers to help create more awareness, they also have a fun old fashion taxi cab that they said we might be able to have at the 5K possibly.  So that is exciting that we have then on our sides too!  So we have had alot of happy things happen this week dispite my "episode" but are so greatful for all the support we have.  Thanks love you all!   A

Food For Thought

Just saw this fact and found very interesting.....

In the US there are about 19 liver transplants per million population.  This is about twice the heart transplant rate and about one third of the kidney transplant rate.  Each day, about 77 people get the organ transplant that gives them a second chance, but 19 other die waiting for a donated organ.

HHHMMMM Thoughts????

Launch Of Cody's Blog!

Well with some of the exciting "coverage" we will be getting with the " House 4 Hope" and thankfully Anything For A Friend organization.  I decided I didn't want too much of the "little animals" online.  So this blog will stay the same and updated the same but a little more family/personal.  Cody's blog will be updates on the fundraisers and anything exciting but so will this blog.  So just to warn ya they will be a lot alike! So expect repetitiveness.!

http://change4cody.com

I sit here thinking about what can I write that has happened recently.  Honestly our lifes are wild and crazy which is the way we like it and alot has happened really.  But I reflect back not too long ago when our first born came to our family.  I just had the opportunity to sit down with him tonight and have a long serious chat, one that really I don't believe I would have stopped for if I didn't have an issue to address.  I realized how fast time can slip you by that you have your baby turning 5!  Yea just a few days ago he turned 5, breaks my heart that he is that big, he is like a little man.  He came walking down the stairs the next day telling me:

"Mom, I really feel so much bigger now that I am five!

I always reply with: "I know! Now you are a full hand full."

And honest to truthness he tries to act like he is bigger, sometimes you have to do a double take to make sure he was the one that said it.  He's one that in this dark hour helps the light shine through.  I have been asked so many times then I can count if I knew what my future held with Cody that we would still have had our boys when we did, "Isn't it harder?  Wouldn't you have waited?"  The honest truth is NO! I remember when Cody was sick and on his worst days with UC.  Having Hutton's smiling face and laughter around is what pushed us through.  (Honestly one of Hutton's favorite memories of his Dad was "sneaking" a milkshake up to his hospital room.)  Yes we had a rough road and that was not to stop us, if we were blessed to have his health back and the ability to have more smiling little faces we wanted it to work out.  Sure enough we have Huston, a little spitfire of a kid but also the apple of our eyes.  And again we get asked: "If you had known?" 

NOPE!

Would not change a thing.  Yea would be easier but everything happens for a reason.  They chose us.  They knew what they would be coming to before they took the slide from heaven.  I am just grateful for the trust that my Heavenly Father has in Cody and I to take 2 of his favorites so that they can teach us many things and know that we have a big reason to fight. 

Cody and I recently read a book "Untill My Heart Stops" written by Paul Cardall, recent heart transplant recipient, song writter, and musician.  His goal or moto he started with was "Living For Eden"  Eden was his daughter.  We all have reasons to fight of coarse alot of us choose our kids.  But one thing that he kept expressing was how he was blessed to be able to have the experience he did.  (He was born with a heart disease and was not expected to live a week, thru multiple surguries through his teens and then to the point where in 2009 he was told he would not survive without a transplant, but with this transplant he needed a very special heart one that could work with his anatomy of his heart since he had so many different types of surgeries it needed to be just right)  He continued to state he was blessed to have the opportunity to be where he was each day. 

I kept thinking one of these chapters is going to be negative it has to be! Can you honestly say that you are blessed to be sick?

I can't speak for Cody but, after many weeks of thinking about it, yea you can think you are blessed to be sick.  I look around and see what I have: materially, spiritually, physically and eternally.  Yea I am blessed I have 2 boys that really are the light in our dark tunnels some days.  I have a roof over my head that my husband gave me, my health to get all 4 of us through this, friends and family near and far, and the knowledge that I know that it is all going to work out the way it is supposed to. 

Honestly didn't know what this post was going to be like just felt like I needed to express!  There is so much more that can be expressed on a Computer while your family is asleep and you can think by yourself in silence.  Love You All.

One-Third of the Thirds

Well we were fortunate to get a letter from the Transplant office yesterday that is confirming our listing on the Liver Transplant list.  One other detail they mentioned was they advised us we are in the top one-third of the list.  So we are not near the bottom we are near the top and working our way up. 

We do not need to go back till May where we need to get more labs done and a office visit with the doctors for a check-up.  From the labs and the check-up we will be able to see if we need to be higher on the list.  But by those labs will also tell how "sick" Cody is.  So we were excited to get that letter yesterday. 

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Well honestly can't say it enough! tonight we got a very little knock on our door and Cody opens the door to find a pile of FOOD.  Honestly as tall as our kids.  No name was given so I sure hope they know how much we appreciate it.  Really I would like to know who it was so that I could give them a big ol' bear hug.  But I understand that they want to stay anonymous fine by me, but just so they know they are so verry verry appreciated.  I now know that my kids will NOT go hungry.

One thing we know for sure is after this is over and life gets back to normal is that the only way we can pay back everyone is by just doing the same to others as they have done to us.  We know we will have the opportunity to help many others to come(not that we wish it upon anyone but we will be able to help many others in our travels.)  We have known since we were told that Cody needed a Liver Transplant that what we learn from this is something that will help many many others in one way or an other.  Each day we take a step at a time and learn what we need to so we can grow from this experience. 

Thanks so very much to everyone just for your prayers.  They are felt and we appreciate them so much!

Thanks so much Luv ya all....A

Officially Official

Well on Tuesday February 22, 2011 at about 6:00 pm we became official!  We are now on the list and can now start the real wait.  We still have the last procedure on Monday with Dr. Sandhu that luckily will not have to give us any bad news like he did last time cause honestly what else could go wrong?  Well I better watch what I say?  But I am more prepared this time..

They told us to expect 6 - 12 months time wise unless Cody continues to stay feeling good, then obviously longer but I think where as bad as it is inside and how good he is still feeling it will be good... but honestly 12 months is not that long.  We have done the "sick" thing alot longer so we can do it. 

Well fundraiser planning has gotten underway and have bounced many ideas around.  We have thoughts of doing a 5K, Dinners and other small things along the way, but my Dad had a wild idea that when I heard it thought wow that might be too hard! It is building a home, finding others to help donate time, materials, and or money.  Yea I was thinking that is alot of work and time and money.  So a few days later Dad and Chris chat and throw some ideas and Chris not only has he ran with it but tackled it!  He has gotten Ogden City (Mayor Godfrey) involved to help us actually help with the property.  With Ogden involved we might be able to get more publicity out of all this and be able to raise more money.  So yea it is still alot of work but with CFOlsen Homes behind us we are going to be able to do this.  So stay tuned for more details on the house. 

We have had alot happen this last week and it seems like life wont slow down!  But just a few weeks ago I thought I was getting board, well I spoke too soon! gotta love it!

Approval Needed? What?

Well it is a Lazy Friday morning and we are still wiping the sleep from our eyes, when we get an unexpected phone call from the transplant office-Lori.  Lori explained that the Doctor's in the office were all "talking behind our backs" yesterday.  They were discussing Cody's diagnosis, they all decided that Cody is one that will need to be on the list now and not wait till gets worse.  We were told that not until the tests were all done that any decision would be made, our last appointment is on February 28th.  They understood that appointment is still needed but felt they needed to get Cody on the list.  We really don't know all the details but we wonder what they saw in all those tests that maybe it was severe enough that he needed to be on the list.  We were advised in the beginning that there are 2 different stages the pre-liver failure, and the actual liver transplant stage.  Depending how it is you could still see the same doctors but they treat you to try and better the liver.  Liver transplant stage is there is nothing left to do besides the actual transplant. 

So after that phone call we were shocked and were not expecting it at all made the day a real good one.  Is that how it will be when we actually get the call to get the liver?  All I know is thinking about that actually gives me the chills!

So next step: Now that have the Doctors approval now we need to convince our insurance that has paid for many many things in our past(so many you would think they had our policy number memorized!) So with that in mind we wait again.  As odd as it sounds our insurance has an Organ Transplant as an "ELECTIVE" surgery, because we all elect to live!!  I can see if we wanted to get some fancy implants or some lipo done but REALLY?  But granted one more blessing came thru and now they have approved us by the end of the day! And we are well on our way to getting better!

It is crazy to think about all the many blessings that we have in this hard time.  We know that we need them but honestly they just keep coming and coming, not only to us personally but to our family too.  We all know that someone really does love us to give us that chance to accept these blessings. 

So now we have 10 days to "get listed" I really don't know what that means but pretty much from 10 days to accept the request for the liver and to be willing to wait.  So on Tuesday February 22nd we are going back down to meet with the doctors/office again and talk more about what we have ahead of us.  I have also heard you do have to sign your 1st-4th born away with all the paperwork but really it will be worth it(not the no 1st-4th born, the actual liver!)  It really will be. 

So unless something else exciting happens let you know how Tuesday goes.

Luv ya!  A

Waiting Me Crazy

Well we are still waiting all tests not done, will be on 02/28/11 but till then...waiting.  We should get used to it but I am afraid of what the waiting entails...I have nothing to do.  Yea sounds odd for somebody working overtime at work and 2 boys and a husband with a life changing medical condition.  I have too much time to think so, I am starting something that I kinda don't like doing, asking for money. 

We are going to start planning fundraisers. 

No use sitting around, lets do some good, keep us busy and proactive.  Cody does feel better with something to do each day.  So we have had many wonderful people offer to help us out, given us ideas.  We are really blessed to have the family and friends that we do that are willing to help us out.  And to the many/few that read this blog any ideas will be gladly accepted we have time and want to make the most of what we have. 

On a little funnier note I have to add a story about those crazy animals Hutton and Huston.  Well I am moving my office home and I decided to work in Huston's room since I always eventually wanted them together anyways so I did it last weekend. 

Night 1: They played a few hours and then got punished to stay in their own beds(Huston is still in his crib)
Night 2:  Another few hours of playing and then finally asleep...YES!!!! I go in to do my "MOMMY CHECK" and Huston is not in his bed!  I wonder if he fell asleep while playing, nope.  Him and Hutton are cuddled together on the bottom bunk, Hutton's arm around Huston and their heads together.  That is when you know:

Brothers by chance...Friends by choice

Love them to death so cute I wish I got a picture of it.  So far so good down to about an hour of playing and then to bed.

Love them to death and love all you...

My Parachute

I have been wanting to write this "topic" all week after someone from our stake presidency came and spoke in our ward..but I have not had enough time to sit down and ponder and type about it...So the story begins:

Captain Peterson was an outstanding pilot with many courageous medals during theWW2 but his story goes way back to the time he was flying over the Philippines and his plane was shot down.  Like most he ejected from his plane and landed in the enemy's territory and was taken as prisoner of war.  He was able to survive this horrible time of his life due to his positive attitude.  After many years of being a prisoner of war he finally comes home and many many years go by.  

One evening he goes out with his wife and at this restaurant a man younger then himself keeps staring at him and Captain Peterson does not know why.  After long glances and many stares the stranger walks up to him and asks: "Are you Captain Peterson?"


He reply's "I am, and you are?"


"My name is James, I packed your parachute for you the day you were shot down in the Philippines."


Captain Peterson: "James I thank you for packing my parachute that day that I was able to land on solid ground safely and able to learn the lessons that I did.  I will forever be indebted to you for the opportunities that were given to me to be able to teach myself and many others"


So the ? is for you today who packed your parachute?

I would say that my packing started young, by my parents.  They taught me many things in this life that I am very grateful for.  My Dad's never ending strength do what is needed for his family.  My Moms undenying love for each of her kids(and my own now), and her knowledge to know that it will work out.  She has been out of town this week and I realized that I honestly miss out "catch up chats" while the boys are still running around from all the days activities when she watches them 2 days a week.  Not only has her getting to know my boys personally by watching them so much for me, but it has taught me so much about how to be a better Mom.

My packing continued as I got older, I was merged into a family that has felt like my own.  I was very fortunate to marry into a family that not only accepted me as one of  them but has supported and loved me since day 1.  Joe and Marjean have been through alot with Cody, he was the typical teenager that didn't like to listen to his parents.  But they just loved him more, even after all the middle of the night calls.  But now I get to have the opportunity to make all those middle of the night calls!  But I know that when I do wake them, they are there.  Does not matter what time it is they follow me to the Hospital to help take care of Cody.  But this latest blow has got us all.  When Cody's and my parachute opened they were there to help catch us when we fell.  This news was a big blow to us as it would be for many.  They continue to be the strong ones that give us the parently advice, when I know it is breaking them apart inside.  They have been to every appointment with us and have stepped in where we have needed the most help.  They have consoled all the many emotional breakdowns of mine through this jump.  I will be forever grateful for their packing they have taught us.

Last but not least would be all my sisters 8 in all.  Not once have they complained about taking the boys, cooking dinner for us and crying with us too.  It is always what can I do for you? Are you okay? Do you need anything?  Honestly cant ask for anything more.  I know when the time comes that I need them most they are there and with smiles on their faces and so excited to help.  Their only wish is to make this hard time easier, even though they are struggling with it too and want to curl up in that dark room some times too just like me and cry. 

I am grateful for the chance that I have to be a member of the church and feel like I have a better understanding of what and why we have to have these hard times.  And in those hard times have a way to understand it more. 

Who packed your parachute?

WHEW!!!

Well it has finally sunken in of what the future holds.  We went down to IMC to "Meet the Transplant Team" and they are some of the most amazing people that you will meet.  You know they really care about what they do when they can get emotional over talking about their jobs.  I really honestly didn't know what to think when I was done with our long day of information.  I was really really overwhelmed that I could hardly handle it and I am not even the one having the transplant!  We got to meet George who had a liver transplant about 10 years ago that had PSC just like Cody and also has Crohns which is close to Cody also.  He was quite the spitfire of a guy.  He had ALOT of words of encouragement to know that we were going to make it and once it was done only had one thing to say "Life is GOOD if you make it GOOD"

Cody was the youngest person there, which did not surprise us.  One of the surgeons has asked if he could drive Cody's truck for a few weeks :) (Cody drove a large Dump truck and trailer for the last 3 years) He had a funny personality that helped us feel calm about what they do.  He explained to us the actual surgery that is done for transplants, and what surprised me was that when a Liver comes available one of the surgeons fly/drive to where it is then removes the organ then keeps it with them on the way back to the hospital and then they all tag team it and reattach everything.  We wondered how the organ does get to us and Cody's thought was Fedex..yea I heard if it says fragile they drop it more.  So I am glad our surgeons are the only ones with it! 

I am grateful for a job that I have that gives us the insurance to help with all of this.  Cause honestly how could you do any of this with out?  I feel bad for those that do not have it.  The whole "financial" meeting of our day was the biggest shock to me next to the detail of what "signs and symptoms" I should be looking for.  Now our next steps in this is getting a Dental clearance and then we can get the final testing done and officially be on the list, and wait!  But we have much to do in this time to hopefully keep us busy and pass the time away to when we will receive the phone call we have been waiting for.  And from then on will be our "New Life Birthday" one that we will always be grateful for. 

MEET THE LITTLE ANIMALS :)

So had to get the little animals on the Blog finally...They are honestly the cutest little boys you will ever meet!! YES I am a very bias mother..but ask their grandmas they will tell you...:)

Love them so much!!!Love their honest to goodness love that they have for their parents that at times seem really really crazy!! A Mom that seems to be always crying and going a mile a minute and a Dad that looks like he belongs to the Simpson's(hehe sorry hunny gotta love it!!) again... A Dad that no matter what will do what ever he can for them no matter how exhausted he is.......gotta Love em' and yes you all will tell me to give them a little mush for ya...Don't worry I do millions a day!!

Start of the new Anderson Blog!

Well with Cody's recent diagnosing of needing a Liver transplant it has finally made me feel like we need a BLOG! So friends and family far away can still connect with what is going on and know how we are doing.  I believed that we can use this as a journal also as we go through these tough times that are up ahead.  Some have told me that our postings will not only help others in their trials but will help us express what we can't say, and for others to know how to help us(since we are not good askers of help.) 

The story begins not all but 9 years ago when Cody and I met... Love at first sight for us both and so excited to married together forever.  Through what we thought were tough times were really nothing we decided to start a family.  Hutton was born on March 11, 2006 and was so much fun for us both.  Soon after Cody began to fall ill after months of struggles with his health he was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis.  It forced Cody to quit his job  We luckily had sold our home just prior to quitting his Job and were blessed to live my grandmother for 3 years.  In this 3 years Hutton got cuter and cuter and more and more boy everyday.  Cody begun to get sicker and sicker through many hospital stays and doctors visits of "Try this drug" "Try that drug" we tried em all and nothing worked till in 2007 we found a diet that allowed him to start feeling normal.  But with this diet was no real excitement for Cody he wanted to BE normal.  We then began reviewing our other options which meant surgery.  We found a surgeon that we felt could do what is needed and had the knowledge to help Cody get better.

January 2008 we went to the hospital for what we knew was going to change our lives forever!  We knew it was the only way to get better.  Yes granted in the 4 months he had multiple surgeries to help him get better.   But we look back now and know it was the right choice.  I will never forget the nights we spent there wondering why were we the ones that had to go through all this? Little did we know that it was preparing us for what was to come. And what we have to share with others

After some recovery Cody started feeling better and went back to work.  On February 19th, 2009 one more cute little boy: Huston.  Both boys were the joy of our lives. We built us a beautiful home and "Started A New Life" we moved somewhere that not many new about our past and created a "Normal" life.  We loved our new ward it always felt like it was home of close friends and family.

December 2010 Cody got a GI bleed that caused him to be admitted to the Hospital for 5 days.  Day 1 he was great they got the bleeding under control we found the ulcer that was causing the bleeding, he did have to get a few units of blood but he was feeling better till that night....During the night (4 AM)I got a phone call saying: "Cody has been taken to the ICU the bleeding has gotten out of control he is going into surgery to see if we can stop the bleeding."  I frantically get to the hospital and wait patiently(well not really) with Cody's parents for about 5 hours waiting for a reply on how Cody is doing.  Once he is done they could not stop the bleeding completely but slowed it down enough.  Our next set of news is not so good.  We needed to have a procedure done that could help his liver cause it was an underlying issue that we believe the reason the ulcer came was to get us to the Doctor to take care of his liver.  He was diagnosed with: Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis or commonly known as PSC (English terms pretty much the liver bile ducts are block and the liver starts not being able to release the bile like it should be and causes Jaundice- Yes Cody does look like he belong on The Simpson's :).  At the time we took it not really understanding what it all entailed.  We set up our follow up next and there we were told by his doctor if he wants to see his 40th B-day he needs to take care of himself-- Liver first.

Next we scheduled the ERCP to have his liver "cleaned" or to help buy us some time before a liver transplant.  Me and Cody's parents sat confidently in the waiting room for the procedure to complete and Dr. Sandhu came out telling us he could not do a thing...anything he tried did not work.  The only option we had was a liver transplant.  He left us and we were all in shock!  We never expected to hear this news so early, we knew it would lead to this but not now, not then.  We picked ourselves up off the floor to go see Cody and tell him the news.  Then he was in a fog from all the sedation he only really remembers waking up at home.  I had to keep repeating myself about what had happened that night on the drive home which was a rough one since the specialist was in Salt Lake.  

But just like the past we didn't rest too long! Cody was in alot of stomach pain and we ended up at the ER at 1 AM just as we suspected Pancreatitis.  But luckily we live in the times that pain meds work really well and he was finally sleeping with in an hour of seeing the Doctor.  We got admitted and continued to wonder and ask about what the future held. 

After Knowing for the last few days about what this road is going to be like we can only sum it up like this:  We feel blessed to have friends and family that care so much about us that they were just as shocked as we were, and can not stop asking what they can do.  We are very blessed to have received the confirmation that this is the road that was paved for us a long time ago.  We think that if the ERCP would have worked Cody may have not been able to get a liver in 30 years really!...HE is young, HE has alot to live for, and honestly HE has 2 cute little boys that he HAS TO raise cause I DO NOT want to do it alone. 

I hope through this blog Cody and I can inspire, confide and express our true feelings to all our friends and family that are so close to us.