6 - THE CITIZEN - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2001
The sky is J'alling
I instruct him to "give 'em hell" and say a
silent prayer that the surgery is a success.
By DEBI MARSHALL
Day One, Dec. 26, 8 a.m.
A honky, raspy cough trickles
slowly into my sleep, pulling me
from cotton-coated dreams onto a
conscious plane I don't wish to in-
habit.
I sink slowly back into the
depth of my slumber, settling
comfortably !nto a world far away
from the reality of my existence --
dogs barking, doorbells chiming,
phones ringing -- ZZZZZZZ --
cough -- wheeze -- cough.
With all the strength I can
muster, I open one eye, then the
other. It takes a full minute before
my mind translates what the
hands of the clock are clearly stat-
ing: 8:15 a.m. Can it really be that
late? It seems like only minutes
have passed since I collapsed into
bed at midnight on Christmas.
Honk! Honk! The harsh
sound grabs my full attention. I
recognize, all too well, what the
nagging noise means. Our nine-
year-old daughter, Chelsea, is sick
on the morning our son Greg, 16,
is having major surgery. I think of
the timeworn clichd: When it
rains, it pours. It is the constitu-
tion by which I live my life, not
out of desire but because of neces-
sity.
9:30 a.m. I have showered,
dressed and inhaled a bowl of ce-
real. Chelsea stumbles sleepily in-
to the kitchen, her face an un-
healthy crimson from fever. I
place my cheek against her fore-
head and feel too much warmth. I
hold a thermometer firmly in the
pit of her arm, then add half a de-
ree to the numbers flashing be-
re me: 100.3. Darn!
, Ignoring her protests that she
is 'fine, I give her Motrin, peer
into the back of her throat with a
flashlight and check her neck for
swollen glands. I race to the
phone to schedule an appoint-
ment with our pediatrician, then
call a close friend and plead with
her to watch Chelsea and take her
to the doctor. Like she has count-
less times in the past, she readily
agrees. I can t imagine my life
without her help.
10:15 a.m. My husband, Bob,
10-year-old daughter, Michelle,
Greg and I drive to the hospital.
The air outside is crisp and clear.
Snow from days earlier clings to
barren tree branches and tele-
phone wires. We consciously try
to make the conversation light to
ease the tension in the car, but the
fear is so palpable I can cut it with
a knife.
Greg is scheduled for surgery
to lengthen the hamstrings in
both legs. As the result of prob-
lems arising from a precarious,
high-risk birth, the tendons and
muscles in his legs have always
been tight and unable to be
stretched. I recall with great clari-
ty the prognosis of 11 specialists
we consulted in the first 15
months of his life; doctors who
said our son would never walk,
never have the ability to express
himself verbally, would need to
be enrolled in schools for "differ-
ently-abled" children.
I think about Greg's courage
and determination over the past
16 years. He wore braces on both
legs to learn to walk, slept with
casts at night to keep his tendons
stretched, went to physical thera-
py three times a week when other
kids his age were riding bicycling
and playing in sandboxes. This
golden-haired child now grown
tall has far exceeded the predic-
tions of those experts. He became
my hero 16 years ago. I know that
will never change.
10:30 a.m. With trepidation,
we walk through the hospital
doors that have opened automati-
cally to let us in. We fill out forms
in the post-surgical waiting area,
and Greg is given a gown and
scrubs. Soon a middle-aged nurse
whose gender I have difficulty de-
termining informs us Greg's
blood pressure is alarmingly high
and that the anesthesiologist I had
required months earlier has been
pulled off Greg s case to work on
an infant facing heart surgery.
I call a close friend,, a highly
respected doctor at this children's
hospital, and ask her about the
anesthesiologist Greg has been as-
signed. She reaffirms that he is
top notch.
11 a.m. The anesthesiologist
we initially requested enters the
small examining room and apolo-
gizes for not being able to be with
Greg during surgery. He reassures
us his replacement is equally
skilled.
11:15 a.m. Greg's older sister,
Tiffany, arrives. I pull her aside
and ask her to try to calm him
down. Best friends, they spend a
part of each day joking and laugh-
ing together in a way enviable to
outsiders. She readily agrees and
soon they are cracking jokes and
smiling. My own stomach is in
knots. I know that despite my
words, Greg recognizes the fear in
my voice.
11:30 a.m. We meet the anes-
thesiologist and are instantly put
at ease by the firmness of his
handshake, the calmness of his
demeanor, the sincerity of his
gaze. He expresses concern about
Greg's blood ,pressure, but assures
us he will watch him like a
hawk" in surgery.
12:15 p.m. The pediatric or-
thopedic surgeon, the man who
first gave us hope that Greg
would walk, enters, the waiting
room with a smile. He reassures
us that Greg is in good hands.and
leaves to prepare for
surgery.
12:30 p.m. Greg is led away
by two nurses. We all hug him
and despite the promises to my-
self not to, I begin to cry. I instruct
him to "give 'em hell" and say a
silent prayer that the surgery is a
success.
12:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. We all
deal with the stress in various
ways. Bob makes numerous trips
to the candy and pop machines.
Tiffany rocks steadily back and
forth in a large rock!ng chair, her
legs tucked protectively beneath
her. I write, thank yoc note after
thank you note, trying keep the
anxiety to a level where I can still
breathe.
1 p.m. I call home to check on
Chelsea. Our friend reports the
pediatrician thinks her illness is
viral and tells her we'll have to
"wait it out." I pray that Greg
doesn't come down with this
same bug while recovering from
surgery.
2:45 p.m. Greg is taken from
surgery into a recovery room. A
phone rings and we are told we
can see him once he is taken to a
regula hospital room on the sec-
ond floor. We pack up our belong-
ings that we have scattered
throughout the waiting room and
pace, impatiently, in anticipation
of the telephone call.
3:15 p.m. The long-awaited
call arrives. Greg is being trans-
ported to Room 2108. We are told
we can meet him there. I spot him
in the hallway. He is soundly
asleep on a large hospital bed
with wheels. His color is whiter
than snow. Even his lips appear to
be transparent. Once in the room,
he begins shaking violently and a
frightened nurse reports his tem-
perature is an alarming 93.2 de-
grees. They cover him in blankets
and place a large, heavy heated
sandbag on his chest. I lean over
the bed and hold him tightly, try-
ing to transfer some of my own
body heat to him. He is shaking so
badly I can barely hang on. There
are moments I blame myself for
his problems. Why couldn't I car-
him the full nine months? Why
d this have to happen? Mostly,
though, I am frightened, not only
by the ashen c(lor of his skin and
our inability to raise his tempera-
ture but by the nausea that is rack-
ing his body.
4 p.m. to midnight Ever so
slowly his temperature begins to
rise. Then, for the next eight
hours, he begins vomiting uncon-
trollably. Doctors scramble to in-
sert a variety of anti-nausea drugs
in his IV, but none of them seem to
be effective.
The "blow by" oxygen is no
longer adequate, and a nasal can-
nula is placed beneath his nose. It
is after 10 p.m. before his temper-
ature reaches 97 degrees, still
more than a degree-and-a-half be-
low normal. Slowly a little color
begins to appear in his lips. Even
so, he is stilla dull gray. Despih;
the efforts of this highly ;kille([
staff and the drugs that they clain
are usually effective, every fe
minutes he vomits into a vlasti.
basin. Bob and I alternate C mDm[
his face with a warm washcloth
Silently I hold my breath and
pray.
Debi Marshall's award-winning
column also appears in several week-
ly newspapers throughout the West.
She has worked as a reporter for sev-
eral daily newspapers, holds a mas-
ter's degree in journalism froth
Northwestern University, is the
mother of five children and an eight.
year cancer survivor. If you wish t(,
share your story or comments, please
write Debi in care of this newspaper
or e-mail her at silverlini@aol.com.
I School Lunch Menu
WEST SIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT
THURSDAY, 1/4 - LEE: Bar-
becue, potato wedges, pickles,
white cake, mixed fruit, milk;
WSHS: Salad bar.
FRIDAY, 1/5 - Ham slice, au
gratin potatoes, green beans,
dinner roll, cherry cobbler, milk.
MONDAY, 1/8 - Taco, corn,
applesauce, cinnamon roll, milk.
TUESDAY, 1/9 - Ham and
cheese sandwich, spud skins,
pickles, pudding, milk.
WEDNESDAY, 1/10 - Ham-
burger gravy, baking powder
biscuit, California blend veg-
gies, peaches, bar cookie, milk.
PRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
BREAKFAST
Oakwood/Pioneer, PJHS,
7:50 to 8:20 a.m.; PHS, 7:30 to
8:10 a.m.
LUNCH
MAIN LINE CHOICES
THURSDAY, 1/4 -
Spaghetti with meat sauce
FRIDAY, 1/5 - OAK-
WOOD/PIONIER: Chicken
nuggets with tater tots;
PHS/PJHS: Idaho nachos with
corn chips.
MONDAY, 1/8 - Chicken
fajitas.
TUESDAY, 1/9 - Turkey
gravy with mashed potatoes.
WEDNESDAY, 1/10 -
OAKWOOD/PIONEER:
Hoagie sandwich; PJHS: Spicy
chicken with tater wedges;
PHS: Taco salad edibowls.
In addition to main line
choices, other menu items are
served daily:
Oakwood and Pioneer of-
fer peanut butter and jam
sandwich, tossed salad, milk
or juice.
PJHS offers pizza, salad
bar, milk or juice.
PHS: Students can eat at
the The Pit or Nielson Gym. In
addition to other items, both
locations serve fruit and milk
or juice.
Check out the Child Nutrition
and Food Service web site on the
Preston School District
Web Wall.
a
Scouting
ARROW OF LIGHT - Tyler
Hobbs, son of Kory Hobbs and
Marsha Riggs, was awarded
the Arrow of Light Award on
Dec. 28, 2000. He was a mem-
ber of Pack 246 sponsored by
the Franklin Second Ward. His
leaders have been Glen Erick-
son and Max Richards.
Citizen seeks submissions
for Valentine's Day edi-
The Preston Citi'zen is looking forward to Valen-
tine's Day and the opportunity to share unique sto-
ries of courtship and love with its readers.
If you have a tale to tell about that special some-
one in your life -- how your love came to be or con-
tinues to flourish please summarize it in one or
two typed pages and submit it to Necia Seamons or
David Johnson by Jan. 22.
A wide range of experiences are sought:
tragic, dramatic, tender, etc.
Please write only of actual occurrences and il
clude name and phone number so you may be
tacted if questions arise. The Citizen will publish
most unique accounts on Feb. 14.
RURAL
(Continued ffom
with their snow boards and scoot-
ers. My grandson wasn't very hap-
py when he was given a goofy
looking, homemade snow board
with thongs nailed on it. He didn't
think his dad's sense of humor was
very funny. I had a nice holiday
with my daughters, Tayna Michel
of Ovid and Rachel Robinson of
Orem.
Judy Nix spent two weeks ris-
iting with her children, sisters and
friends in Altoona and Coco, Fla.,
and Dawsonville, Ga.
Russell and Sara Jacobson
were happy to have their daughter
and son-in-law, Tera and Craig
Norris, and children, Jade, Kaylee
and Jason, visit with them over
Christmas weekend from Dallas.
Penny and Glen Reid enjoyed
the company of their son who flew
in from Ohio for Christmas to be
with them. and their son and
daug2hter from Preston.
Steve Sherman went to
Lebanon, Ore., to bring back his
two children, Daniel, 15, and Han-
nah, 13, for a week's visit in West-
on.
Val and Sharon Lowder and
children were in Weston taking
care of some things at their house
and visiting with their children in
Logan and the Preston area for
Christmas. They are living in
Pagosa Springs, Colo., where Val is
doing insulation with his son.
Jeana and Tom Lanktree had a
baby boy Dec. 30 about 2 a.m. He is
a healthy 7 pound, 11 ounce cutie.
He and his m_o,m are doing fine.
Jan Zilles grandmother, who
lives with her, was taken by ambu-
lance to Franklin County Medical
Center Wednesday afternoon fol-
lowing a fall and was kept there for
a couple of days for observation.
Send your news to
3b. ug@juno.com or call 852-.
Clifton
By WENDY KENDALL
It was nice to have a white
Christmas in Clifton this year. We
saw plenty of the Christmas spirit
as neighbors gave gifts to one an-
other up and down the West Side.
We had plenty of goodies donated
by the talented hands of West Side
kitchens. It is also always a joy this
time of year to appreciate the hard
work and creativity of those who
take the time and make the effort to
decorate their homes and lawns
with light displays. Please accept
the thanks of those of us who are
not so talented.
Ward and Devonna Moore had
some excitement in their home a
week or so ago. They began
smelling smoke and even though
they searched from rbom to room
they could not find the source even
as the smoke rapidly ot thicker.
They called the fire department
who continued the search until
Kim Crockett, whose other profes-
sion of furnaceman turned out to
be a real advantage, thought of the
furnace and went down to the
basement. Sure enough the furnace
fan had caught fire and was deliv-
ering the smoke through the vents
to the entire house. The problem
was quickly taken care of and with
ultra efficiency Mr. Crockett even
repaired the furnace before he left
so the problem was solved, much
to the Moores relief. Let us hope
that this is the only excitement
this kind over here this season.
A Community Family
was held Friday, Dec. 29, at
Moyle Community Center
families were urged to attend.
Reed Choules, son of
Choules, reported his mission he
in Clifton Second Ward a couple €
weeks ago. Reed served
able mission in the
Phoenix Mission. I heard
compliments about what an
lent talk he gave.
Clifton First Ward Choir
formed a special Christmas
ley. Sherry Phillips
them under the direction (
Cox. They all did a beautiful
with the music. Solos were
Karen Peterson, Michelle
ward, Mary Call and Nathan
We appreciate their efforts and
ent. The solos especially were
derful. First Ward also "
their Christmas party, which
marvelous dinner, and a visit
what was apparently the real
ta.
Clifton Second Ward had
Christmas Cantata, written
narrated by Myma Moyle,
ducted by Corliss Whitehead
accompanied by Carolyn Smart.
special duet was performed
Richard and Tara Westover and
companied by Lisa Sears.
They also enjoyed their
Christmas party with a special
phasis this year on service. In
junction with their party
Ward donated 34
kits, 15 school kits, seven
kits and 72 fleece balls sli
pers, scarves, lined
er miscellaneous items. The
ward was involved.
Computer tech taught at community ed classes
Begining Technology Comuni-
ty Education Classes sponsered by
the Preston School District are.
schedualed to start Jan. 16 through
the Feb. 6. At a cost of $10 per top-
ic or $35 for the entire course, each
class will cover a specific subject.
All dass will be on Tuesday
nights starting at 6:30 p.m. and will
end at 8:30 pm with the first class
"Intoduction and Wmdo.ws 98" on
Jan. 16. Word Processing using Mi-
crosoft Word will be held on
18, Power Point on January 23,
cel on Jan. 25,
Internet Explorer 5, and
on Feb. 6 with Email
Express.
PRIMARY PR()GRAM
HELPS FOR 2001
FOLLOW THE PR()PHET
FOLLOW THE PROPHET
Activity & Idea Book vol. 1 $7.95
Activity & Idea Book vol. 2 $ 7.95
. Teaching With Music $ 7.95
!
FOLLOW THE PROPHET
Primary Partners Teaching Tools* $9.95
Primary Partners Sharing Tune" $9.95
Primary Partners Singing Fun* $9.95
* Also available on CD Rom $11.95
I!
':[ "- r.,: -- i
FOLLOW THE PROPHET Sharing Time
Activities for Chilren, CD Rom Included! $10.95
FOLLOW THE PROPHET Songs for the 00001
Primary Sacrament Meeting Presentation.
CD $15.98 Cass $10.98 Sheet Music $2.50
2001 PRIMARY THEME POSTERS $ 4.95
FOLLOW THE PROPHET BEANIE BEARS $6.95
FOLLOW THE PROPHET JEWELRY $1.95 - $3.95
77 South State • Preston ° 852-0155
THE PRESTON CITIZEN
