My not so new, not so normal life ...

Fourth of July for our family, was spent in the Tucson Medical Center.

While everyone else was grilling their hamburgers and corn, splashing in pools and getting ready for the fireworks, Kason, Kameron & I were in room 780 at Tucson Medical Center. We were together as a family but, we weren't doing the "normal" 4th of July festivities.

Backing up to what got us there ....

On Wednesday, July 1st - we spent the night in the ER. Kameron had a nosebleed that started at 3:30 that afternoon. It stopped for a little while but picked back up and it hadn't stopped by 10:00 that night so, we took him to the hospital. We were taken back quickly and the ER doctor mended his nose. After getting his blood work back the doctor just told us his labs were a little abnormal and his platelets were low which is what caused the 7 hour nosebleed - no platelets to clot the blood! So, they told us to call his rheumatologist and let her know about all of this and they sent us on our way!

Friday Kameron had a rough day. He wasn't feeling well at all, he didn't have an appetite, and his right lymph node on his neck was swollen. We watched him most of the day, tried to get him to eat/drink, and just let him rest. But, Friday night - the swelling in his neck spread. By 9:30 it had spread from his right lymph node to the other side of his neck and all the way down to his collar bone. He could barely move his neck and his breathing started to become very labored. So, around 10:30 we headed back to the ER. Just a quick word of advice, if it can ever be avoided - don't ever visit the ER on a Friday night! That place was CRAZY! Because of the business - we didn't get back into the ER until 1:30am! Poor Kameron was in so much pain and was so miserable. As soon as we got back into the room they got Kam some pain meds and took his labs. As soon as the ER doctor (different doctor this night) saw his results, he knew something wasn't right and he was really worried about Kameron. Kameron's eyes looked a little yellow, his liver wasn't doing it's job right and his kidney's weren't functioning right either. Not to mention - his neck was still so swollen. So, the ER doctor immediately found Kameron a room at a Tucson Medical Center! Around 5am I headed home and slept for a couple hours and around 6am the ambulance came and loaded Kameron up and took him off to Tucson.

While I was home, I packed for my Utah trip and then I headed to the hospital. When I got there a few doctors came in a spoke with us - nobody was really sure what was going on. They knew that his bloodwork looked abnormal, they just didn't know what was causing it all. So, they scheduled several tests that would get us some answers!


That night Kason and I decided to go find some fireworks. So, we told Kameron good-bye and found some fireworks at the base of 'A' Mountain. We missed Kameron so bad, especially as I watched other families spend time together. But, I knew he needed to be in the hospital to get better. Sunday morning Kason and I flew to Utah for a family reunion up there.

Now that I look back, I almost wish that I hadn't gone to Utah. But, Kameron had told me that I needed to go and we decided together that I would attend the family reunion. But again ... I have a small amount of regret for going, especially while my husband was in the hospital. Let me tell you why ...

While I was in Utah, Kameron would text me updates every once in awhile;
"I'm getting a blood transfusion"
"I have to get a liver biopsy"

"everything is fine babe, my doctors are awesome"

Also, when I talked to him he would update me as best he could ...
He had a infection on his thyroid which turned into a staph infection which has gotten into his blood stream.
His heart has an arrythmia.

His lungs have some sort of infection (either fungal/bacterial/pneumonia) and he has fluid in his lungs.

I was missing him BAD. Everytime I would learn that something else was wrong I felt horrible for not being as his bedside but, he assured me that he was doing fine and the doctors were taking very good care of him.


Last night I found out that Kameron was VERY weak, he hardly had the energy to talk. He was losing his extra energy quickly because he was having a hard time breathing. So, once I discovered this - I was anxious to get home to be with him.


This morning they did a procedure on his lungs. (a biopsy?? maybe? I can't remember the term the doctor used). They were doing the procedure right as Kason and I were landing at the airport. We headed over to the hospital and on the way I got a phone call from Kameron's nurse and another call from his doctor. They both explained to me that the procedure had gone well but, because he was having such a difficult time breathing, they had decided to move Kameron to the ICU. They wanted to be able to watch him closer and give him the close attention that he needs. As soon as we got to the hospital Kameron was just getting situated in his ICU room.

When we woke up he seemed concerned that the procedure went wrong and wondered why he was in the ICU. He didn't remember anything (which is a GOOD thing!!) and I explained to him what had happened and why he was there. Then the doctor came in and spoke with us. He expressed his concern for Kameron's high respiratory levels. Normal respiratory levels are below 20 and Kameron's were up in the upper 30s and 40s. So, we discussed putting Kameron on a respirator but, decided that we would wait and see if Kameron could continue to breathe on his own. Kason and I went to get Kason some lunch in the cafeteria. While I was there Matt called and said that they had decided to go ahead and sedate Kameron and put him on the respirator. I rushed back to his room. I was able to tell him I loved him and then they asked me to leave so they could do the procedure. When we were finally able to go back in it was SO hard on me to see Kameron sedated and with the breathing tubes. But, I also know that he won't get better if he isn't on the life support. His body has been fighting SO hard to breathe that all of his extra energy was going into his breathing. His body had no energy to fight all the other problems that were going on. If they hadn't put him on the respirator - he wouldn't get better. By doing this - his body doesn't have to focus on breathing, it can focus on getting better and fighting the infections.


The hardest part for me is not being able to talk to him. I miss getting his sweet text messages and I will miss calling him to say goodnight. It is so hard to look at his life-less body and see tubes down his throat, breathing for him. I look at things of his and burst into tears because I miss him so much. The doctor isn't sure how long he will be on the respirator - just however long it takes for everything to stabalize.


Right before we left Art, Daniel and Matt gave him a blessing. I was reassured that Kameron will be fine. This is one of the trials we need to pass through to enjoy our exaltation.

Kameron opened his eyes for a bit during and after the blessing and I was able to tell him I loved him and he nodded his head. He waved goodbye before falling back asleep.


He is such an amazing husband. So strong and full of faith. I am blessed to have him as my best friend. I know that he will get through this and that he will get to continue his role as a husband and as a father.

This is where you all come in. I know that each of you that have been aware of our situation have been praying for Kameron - for that I am eternally grateful. But, I feel that we need a little extra faith sent our way.

I am asking each of you who reads this to fast for Kameron's recovery and health on

FRIDAY, JULY 10th

Fast, pray, meditate ... please just do what you do.
Kameron will be healed by his faith and by the faith of others.

I love each of you and I am very grateful for the love and support we have felt. I will try to update as often as possible.