Despite All Contrary Reports--I'm Alive!

All right--let me just clear the air by saying that I have had a difficult week but, despite the challenges, I have come out alive! I know that some of you received messages from Mom that may have led you to believe that I was on my death bed and, although we understand Mom's tendency to exaggerate, I have to admit that this time even I had my doubts for a second.
About four days after the surgery, the therapy was going fine other than the fact that I had a pain in my upper quad. Thinking that I was just cramping because I was working so hard, I paid little attention to it, but a couple of days later I couldn't stand it anymore and Mom took me in to the doctor. We tried to explain to him what I felt, but he didn't really want to listen. Finally, Mom suggested that we do an ultrasound to see if I had a clot. The doctor kind of brushed it off but finally agreed and we headed down to the clinic. After a thorough look, the ultrasound tech concluded that I did not; however she only checked the hamstring and calf sections of my leg. I informed her where the pain was so she checked the quad and found it. She called in the radiologist to have him look at it as well, and the two told me that was the first time they had ever discovered a blood clot in that location. So, after finding that, I was hooked up with some blood thinner medication and told to go home.
Later that night, I started to feel ill and in the morning had a fever of over 101. It was a Saturday and my normal doctors were not available, but I called the online doctor who told me that I should go to the hospital. I held out for a couple hours but Ana and I finally decided that we should be sure and we headed to the hospital. Well, after a couple scans of my chest they concluded that the clot probably had not moved to my chest. They had no reason for the fever, told me to take Tylenol and sent me out the door.
Today, Monday, I woke up feeling horrible. My fever was over 102, I couldn't breathe, and I had a deep cough. We went to my family physician who tested me and told me that I have Influenza B and, with no better way of describing it, diagnosed me as slightly asthmatic. He gave me some medicine, told me to rest for the week, and sent me home. Needless to say that the medicine has worked fantastic and I feel so much better. I can't believe the difference that the enhaler makes! I used to think that I had difficulty breathing after walking up the stairs because I am fat and out of shape, but now I know that is only 75% of the problem!
Anyways, thanks to everyone who has helped us during this past week--especially Kari who watched our kids and Mom who watched me and the kids--but also to everyone who has called, written, and visited.

ACL Surgery

Well, after five years I finally went and had my knee repaired. I wasn't able to speak with the doctor too much afterwards to find out exactly what was done, but what I found out from Ana and Mom is that the ACL was completely torn and the meniscus was pretty much destroyed. But everything is great now and I should be up and running after three months and could play within six months. Mom has been nice enough to come down for a week or two and help take care of me. With Ana in school it would be kind of hard without her. Anyways, the pictures are just to the right. Maybe Terra and Josh could describe the procedure a little better.

Anyways, love you all and hope everyone is great.

Go Cougars

Every year, I try to take the kids to a couple of games. Thanks to some generous bosses and a little bit of luck, we were able to attend the BYU basketball and BYU football game this past week.
Wednesday I took Kenny and Abbi to see the BYU Cougars in their final exhibition game of the year. I had first planned to go to the football game the following night with Kenny, but because Vanessa had Young Women's some changes had to be made and Kenny was nice enough to switch days with her. We got there right before tipoff and within 15 minutes I was in line buying treats. By the time I got back, the Cougars were up by 10 and Abbi was dancing on her chair. She must have done a good job because within minutes Cosmo was by her side. He gave high fives to both the kids and finally we were able to sit down and watch the game. Both Kenny and Abbi had a great time eating, dancing, and yelling; maybe next time they'll watch the game!
Vanessa and I went to the football game the following day but, before arriving at the stadium I decided to take her out for a little bite to eat. We didn't have much time so we hit Burger King. I enjoyed sitting with her and just talking. We had to park about a mile from the stadium, but that made for a great walk as we were able to continue our conversation and get psyched for the game. By the time we reached the stadium fans were everywhere and TCU had just kicked off. We reached our seats just us Harvey Unga plunged into the endzone to give BYU a 7-0 lead.
BYU ended up winning both of the games and, while we had a great time, I must admit that I kept thinking that our outings might be some of the lasts that I will enjoy with my kids. As corny as it sounds, I couldn't get out of my head the fact that, sooner or later, Kenny isn't going to laugh while I pick my nose on the giant screen and Vanessa isn't going to want to hold hands with me as we walk down the street or allow me to carry her piggyback down the stairs. I made the most of the nights--hangin' out my babies--who, except for Abbi, aren't going to be babies much longer.

New Way to Keep in Touch

Hi everyone! Well, we have finally joined the millions who rely on a weekly blog to keep family, love ones, and friends updated on events occurring in our lives. We figure this will help everyone out. No longer will you have those annoying emails every week; from now on, all you need to do to find out about us is check our blog site (you could also pick up the phone but I know that will never happen.) We will keep this site updated as much as possible, so please enjoy.