Us

I ran into a couple of people this past weekend who didn't even know that I was out of the hospital. So considering that I've been out of the hospital since Miles' birthday (June 28th) I thought we'd actually post an update on us on the blog and maybe a few more people can get a nice surprise. 

As I said I left the hospital on Miles' birthday at the end of June having had my kidneys fixed almost completely. The docs were pretty surprised by how well my kidneys rebounded, and Miles celebrated with a cupcake. The only problem with my kidneys doing so well meant that I was no longer on dialysis which kept me high on the liver transplant list. Now I am barely on the list, but am still listed and still not feeling even close to 50% of myself. So even though I am lower on the transplant list than I was when I was actually listed, I feel nowhere as good as I did when I was listed, if that makes sense? The listing system is a messed up system in a lot of ways, but we'll live with it and be grateful we have a system period that provides the opportunity to have a life saved. I feel good almost everyday now, but I have little or no energy (especially by the end of the day), I have no muscle mass at all, and my diet is a work in progress as I try to introduce new foods every day and see how my system tolerates each one of them. My staple is fish and rice, so that's good. 

It has been amazing to be home with Megan and Miles. It has come with its challenges since Miles is an amazing but also busy 2 year old, but the more time I am away from the hospital, the more I don't ever want to go back there, except for the actual liver transplant of course.  

In the meantime, we "wait" without really waiting for the phone call with a new liver to come, meaning we're not on the edge of our seats right now but are trying to live our lives as normally as possible, not knowing at all when I'm going to even get sick enough to qualify for a new liver. We keep pretty busy though. 

Megan has been doing a lot of biking, both road and mountain, of which I am super jealous, but it keeps her sane and happy, as do her projects around the house, like putting new flooring in our laundry room. 

We've spent good time with family

And we've done a whole lotta sitting and relaxing, since that's about the extent of my activity these days. 

And below is a photo of all that was left of Miles' waffle with strawberries and cream from Bruges. I had none. 

Well sir, that's us for now. Sorry to anybody who didn't know that I was out of the hospital but, I am! And it's been great! Keep the prayers coming our way if you can. They are definitely working and we need them!

Fundraiser Success!

This is actually everybody's liver patient Alec giving a quick report on how well the BBQ Silent Auction fundraiser went last week!  While I was so sad that I couldn't make it to the party (especially since I was suffering at the time with some severe abdominal pains) I was so happy to hear about the great turnout we had and more importantly the great time everybody had at the event. 

We can thank all of you enough for coming and contributing in so many different ways. Whether it was donated items for the auction, preparing goodies for the bake goods sale, and all the hands that went into organizing and carrying out the fundraiser. 

A special Thank You needs to be made to Michael Holton, and worked so hard and was constantly in communication with Megan getting everything together. Of course I need to thank my sweet Megan. She would spend nearly every minute of our times together out at the hospital working on different aspects of organizing for the fundraiser. She has always been such a dedicated person to anything that needs to get done, and she'll work like crazy until it gets done, but was still always so sweet to come and visit me every day and give us our time that I always need in the hospital. She is the most amazing wife, mother and person I have ever known. 

So the fundraiser was a huge success and we able to continue to raise money for our astronomical medical bills.  So again, thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your support! We feel so blessed to know so many loving, selfless, caring and generous people. You are all literally saving my life and our family. The prayers and fast never go unnoticed, and I cry for joy to be connected to so many amazing people. We love you all!

With all this, we continue to wait for a new liver to become available. While the waiting has been difficult, we continue to focus on the fact that we can't pray for a liver to become available now. Rather, we pray for patience and to be accepting of God's timing for us. We remain confident that The Lord will bless me with a new liver, and recognize that it will be on His timetable -not ours. 

As I said before, we love you all, and are grateful for your continued love and prayers on our behalf. 

Until we post again!

Alec

Rampton Fundraiser

Come and Join us for a

 Potluck BBQ and Silent Auction

to benefit

 Alec Rampton

Alec is suffering from a liver disorder and is currently awaiting a transplant.  His disease is called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC). However, Alec and Megan prefer to call it "the jerk," because that is how it treats them:) All proceeds will help his family with medical bills caused by "the jerk."

Friday, June 21^st, 2013-6:30 P.M.

Monument Park 14^th ward pavilion

2255 South Wasatch Drive

Contact Michael Holton to contribute food : holton83@hotmail.com

Or to donate an item(s) to the Silent Auction contact: ramptonstrong@gmail.com

The Silent Auction bidding will begin at 6:30 P.M. and close at 7:30 P.M. Winning bidders can collect their items that evening. There will be “BUY NOW” items available such as #RAMPTONSTRONG wristbands, baked goods, jewelry, original artwork cards by Megan Rampton, etc.

For those who are able to donate an item(s) for the Silent Auction, please email ramptonstrong@gmail.com with the following information:

1.Your name and contact info;

2. Item(s) to be auctioned;

3. your minimum bid;

4. whether you need (or want) to bring the auctioned item to the event earlier at 5:30 p.m.; or

 whether you would like to drop off the item at another date/time for your convenience.

*Please bring item(s) to the pavilion (2255 S. Wasatch drive) on Friday the 21^st, at 5:30  p.m.

Thank you all for showing so much love and support to the Rampton Family!  

Hope to see you there!

For more info about Alecs’ progress : alecandmeganrampton.blogspot.com

If you would like to order a RAMPTONSTRONG wristband please contact: jwhunter9@hotmail.com or get them at the event!

please R.S.V.P to holton83@hotmail.com so we can plan accordingly for food! Thanks!

My Honey is Home!

Alec was able to bust out of the hospital this week! We are so happy to have him home with us. Just to be clear. . .Alec has not yet received a transplant. After 3 weeks in there it was time to get out of there!  The Docs felt that he was well enough to return home but under a watchful eye.  We have a nurse that comes to our house several times a week to do labs. Alec goes to the Intermountain Dialysis center every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for dialysis.  It is very taxing even at home but at least he is now waiting at our house instead of the hospital for a transplant. We would still like to treat his return as if he were at the hospital.  He is extremely tired and fatigued and needs to rest as much as possible. So, at this time we aren't able to have visitors. The texts, emails, and cards are awesome! We appreciate them sooooooo much. Because honestly what else can you do when you are sitting in a chair all day long?!  I'll write more later but as for now we are going to bed.  Goodnight! xoxo

p.s. Thank you Bonneville Mortgage for your awesome card. Alec LOVED it!!

Has anyone ever noticed that the 13th floor doesn't exist at the hospital? Superstitious much? (I guess I wouldn't want to be on the 13th floor. Oh, and also, they don't have rooms with 13 in them either).

 I tried to feng shui his hospital room. I rolled his bed around so that instead of him staring at the wall he would be able to stare outside his window. Not bad eh?

 All of the nurses loved coming into his room because it was colorful and filled with happy photos. Besides that, they LOVED Alec.  (Who doesn't though really?!)  One dude nurse loved Alec so much that he tried to switch with his co-worker. He told him that he would take 2 of his patients if he could give him Alec. How sweet is that?!

 When Alec got a little down and discouraged, my cousin and I made this poster and hung it in his room.  This is definitely our new motto this time around (Thank you Winston Churchill).  Last liver go around it was, "Just keep swimming." You know what? I'm done swimming. . .throw me a rope people!

                    The day we busted out of that joint! That was our nurse Nathan. He is awesome!

 Thanks for the great card Bonneville Mortgage! There is nothing like Seinfeld and Simpsons quotes to cheer you up!

                                                           Alec and some of his fam

                                       Chillin in the only shaded spot of our house that day

                                                              Home Sweet Home.

Dialysis trip

Feelin good

So, Funny story. . .I was really really tired at the hospital and while Alec went in to use the restroom, I decided i would jump in his hospital bed and take a nap.  A knock came at the door, followed by a surprised woman looking at me and then back at her chart.  I realized she was confused and before she could say anything I said, "I'm not Alec. He's in there! as I pointed to the restroom door." She was quite relieved and so was I.  I mean, what if I had been asleep and she assumed Alec was a girls name? and proceeded to give me a shot? or something? yikes! Thank goodness I was awake.

Well, not long after this little experience came this next one.  Alec and I had taken a nap together in his hospital bed. We were so tired, and it just felt nice to actually be lying next to my husband.  We passed out quickly.  One of the Liver Doctors came in to speak with Alec.  I heard them talking for a few minutes and decided I should participate.  Apparently the Doctor didn't know that I was in the hospital bed with Alec because when I interjected into the conversation he was shocked and sort of took a hop back.   He started laughing a little because it had surprised him.  He was standing so close to Alec and didn't notice me.  I guess I was under pillows and blankets or something.  It was just a funny moment:)

This past week we have taken a turn for the better.  Alec is regaining some strength and gaining a teeeeeeeny bit of the 25 lbs he had lost from last week.  He is looking less green and sick. It also helps when you shave.  This past week I surprised Alec by having his Barber come and give him a haircut and real shave. Ray is the man, and it made his day.  So thanks Ray from Rays Barborshop!

                                                                     Before Photo

                                                                      After Photo

 We are happy to say, that he does indeed feel a lot better. And I will quote Alec right now as he says, "I'm feeling good. . .well, as good as I can be." Last week was pretty dang scary.  This week, he is looking better, he is eating (well via feeding tube), and he is feeling better.  No word on a liver yet, but, we are still positive that it is coming.  Alec and his doctors are taking this time to really get Alec ready for a transplant.  They are trying to get him in tip top shape so that he will do well in surgery when the time comes.  

The other day, Alec and I took a little stroll outside the hospital where we met up with My Aunt and Uncle.  There is a nice little river that runs alongside the walking path here.  We threw a blanket down and a couple of pillows and Alec napped for about an hour while my Aunt and Uncle and I fed the little ducks some of Alec's nasty hospital sandwich (they seemed to enjoy it:)) It was really one of the most enjoyable days we have had here. So thanks guys! 

Here is the update and it is a positive one. Alec is doing great. We aren't worried to be waiting for an organ the way that he is feeling NOW.  He is doing much much much better. All I can say is that your prayers and fasts are working.  His meld score is 33. He is the top of the list and the entire transplant team are working hard on our behalf.  I have never met more kind and optimistic people than the transplant team.  They are amazing, and we seriously love them.  We talk sports, show pictures of the fam, talk about 'THE BEACH' joke around and of course have serious conversations as well.  Dr Frech is the man and has really helped Alec out emotionally. We have already made plans with some of docs and nurses out here to hang out after this all.  Good people. 

We will let you know what else is going on but for now this is all we know.  We are happy, we are being fed (thank you everybody for feeding Me and Miles' tummies) and we are feeling optimistic. Quite the change from last week thats for sure.  So, relax a little and know that we for the moment are doing very well all things considered.  

xo

megan.alec.miles.dog-bode. 

Beautiful Faces!

All we can say is WOW! Thank you so very much for all of the emails sent Alec's way. He didn't know that I had sent an email out telling all of you to send as many happy, positive, emails and texts his way.  So when he woke up in the morning, he saw that he had several emails waiting to be read. .He LOVES them! He may not respond, but he is getting them and it is making a difference.  It's nice to see him smile and watch his eyes glitter with hope and happiness. So, thank you. keep the emails and texts coming.

When you are at the hospital, you feel somewhat isolated from everyone.  Especially because he isn't well enough to have visitors.  I had this idea that I would ask all of you to send photos of yourselves holding up a message to Alec.  The response so far has been tremendous! This is going to be an ongoing project, so please, if you would like to add to the lot please do! Email me your photo: meganrampton@gmail.com.   I have compiled the photos that we have received thus far and turned it into a slideshow. I showed it to Alec yesterday, and he just bawled (happy of course). He said, "Megan, I REALLY needed that. That was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen." It really makes a difference when you can SEE with your eyes all of the people that love you and are thinking of you everyday.  THANK YOU ALL! Our family is happier and doing better because of you! xo