Thursday, September 3, 2009

A Tramatic Day Back in Utah

We had a terrific time in Summit celebrating my father's 100th birthday and reuniting with family members and friends we hadn't see in some time. Bishop Sampson took good care of Clark and we even enjoyed Clark's hand shake by web cam on Friday night. Clark made a lot of good progress while we were gone for over a week to SD. Wow, Watertown and surrounding area, you are fantastic! The fundraiser at Pizza Ranch was a HUGE success. I marveled at the crew at Pizza Ranch in their professional manner they approached and carried out the entire event. Always polite, plenty of food, clean and full salad bar, clean dishes and silverware, and available cleaned tables. This is what I call a success!!! Thank you Ross and crew from Clark and his family.

I headed back to Utah early Tuesday morning and arrived at the hospital at midnight! I didn't make as good time coming back as I did heading to SD, in fact I pulled over twice for short cat naps and don't even remember the last 50 miles. But I made it and was thankful to be here. Things didn't go as well yesterday as I had hoped. He was on such a roll while gone that I could hardly believe what was happening. Clark was taken to surgery at 8:30 AM in hopes to close him up but that didn't happen. Some stitches were placed but still couldn't make a lot of progress. As the day went on, Clark's condition took a HUGE drop. He had developed a tremendous blood loss that they couldn't keep up with. His blood pressure had dropped to 75 and staff became very concerned. It wasn't long before a blood warmer, several units of blood, many specialists and nurses were called to his room. They had called radiology in case they would be needed to run a stint through Clark's groin to the liver. The entire surgical staff had come to Clark's bedside and surgery was underway right in his room. Speed was essential. Dr. Schwartz was concerned that the artery from the liver had let go but upon observation, it was fine. In fact, they flushed and cleaned out a lot of clots from his abdomen but never did find the source of all the bleeding. It stopped on its own, or did the Lord have a hand in it? All in all, Clark used 23 units of blood yesterday alone. Please keep donating blood if and when you can. Financially it is not going to benefit Clark at this point, but we need to keep that supply replaced as we know first hand how important it is to have that amount available. Thank You!

The evening and today have gone okay - not great. With all Clark went through yesterday and his blood pressure so low, his liver did take a hit and his liver enzyme numbers did go way up but are expected to be normal again tomorrow. They did take the breathing tube out today however he is struggling for air. He has a lot of swelling in his throat from the frequent in and out of the breathing tube that it has caused a narrowing for air passage. He is trying to sleep but afraid he will stop breathing. Keep fighting Clark, you can do it!

23 comments:

Karla said...

Hey Clark, hoping today is a better day, and that you are back on course. Stay tough, and keep the faith. I just sent another blast out to all my best "praying" friends and we are doubling our efforts.

Lotsa love and many good thoughts,
Karla (St George)

Karla said...

PS ~ I hear Viscious loves her Larson kin. Cortlyn is lovin that little dog. Nothing better than a good puppy, huh!

xo
Karla

Jennie Bitz said...

Hey Clark and family my daughter and I are praying for you. And Clark remember you a are Superman, and you can do this. I hope you you can get some rest and some healing. Take care

Bart said...

Remember you are Super Clark, keep up the good fight. It was good to see you at the B-day party, just wish you could have been there in person, but just seeing the thumbs up was worth a thousand words. Love ya buddy Bart

Sheri said...

Hang in there Clark. My family and are praying for you! rhonda, it was a PLEASURE to finally meet you at Pizza Ranch. Your family is AMAZING. You should be so proud of them all. You are all close in thought and prayer! Be strong Clark.

Unknown said...

Can you donate blood at any hospital in his name? How does that work? I live out of state so I'm guessing it's not an option for me. But I'd love to if it is.

Dave Taylor said...

Just wanted to say keep fighting Clark! I'm from the Lehi ward and have only met you once, but have been following the blog here and my thoughts are definitely with you and your family as you go this trial together. You've definitely inspired me in many ways and made me aware of the great blessing of good health that we often take for granted. May you stay strong and quickly heal and once again enjoy such health!

Unknown said...

Clark! I dont want to cry any more tears so... get better! :) I hate how life can be a roller coaster but we all come to our biggest challenge in life and luckily you are young and strong when you came to yours! Keep fighting, get through this and you can get through anything! *BEAR HUG*
-Cassie

Eric & Kate Larson said...

I'm going to California this weekend for a half marathon. Your strength is what will drive me to the finish line. You have conquered more than most people are faced with in an entire life. I know you have more in you to get over this mountain. We are here with you, helping every step of the way. Love you Clark...

Janeanne said...

Hey Clark. Sorry to hear about your troubles yesterday. Hope you have gotten some rest and things have improved for you.

Victor Hugo said: "Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake."

Put your trust in the Man in charge and all will be well. Hope this day is good! Our love and prayers, always.

Molly Stevenson said...

Clark,
Still praying hard for you every day. Hang in there...you can get through this.

Molly Stevenson

Anonymous said...

Clark, stay strong buddy! This has got to be sooo frustrating to you, but you CAN'T give up! Keep fighting, and you will get through this. Everything usually gets worse before it gets better. Again, stay strong, keep fighting, and this too shall pass!

Austin said...

We keep praying for you and thinking of you each day! It was a sight to behold as we watched you on webcam and that hall full of people in Summit stood and cheered and clapped. I hope you can feel all those who are pulling for you!

Bobby said...

C-Dubz
I guess I didn’t realize that your momma and Kristen were reading the comments to you everyday, so yea it is just going to be me, you, and some guys from my work, and im thinkin that you are in perfect position to dominate if they are letting you get on all the time, this might be the perfect situation for being in a league so there is some good news for you, you will have to help me too when you here of good people it will be fun. I’ll pay for both of us to get in and you can get the winnings if either of us win it all. so lately I’ve just been chillin’ at my new house which you still need to see it will be a much better trip than last time, though last time was still way fun (minus cops). Its got to be tough laying in that bed I know you would much rather be outside, or just going out. I went on that bartender vacation I was telling you about last week it was pretty amazing I couldn’t believe it all came together like that. When we were driving back to L.A. she was telling me about her cousin who had to have spinal surgery and was laid up in a bed at the hospital for over a year. It was crazy I guess because once she was able to leave she enjoyed life about a thousand times more than anyone else, she traveled the world and is generally just happy and thankful for all the things that people take for granted, and I was thinking that that’s what you are going to experience and it is a very rare thing. A worse thing could not have happened to a better friend, I know you won’t but I will say it anyway, don’t let this get you down, I found that thinking about your goals and picturing yourself doing things in life that you want to do help and this gives you time to plot these things, eye on the prize. I’m praying for you. Much love bro

Anonymous said...

hey Clark, Stay strong hun. You have made it this far so keep fighting =) You have a great family and you are in gods hands and i know he is smiling down at you right now thinking WOW what a fighter!!! Keep it up. We are all proud of you and your recovery no matter what down falls you are having we know you will pull through this =)

Tanizha Berg

Anonymous said...

Dear Heavenly Father:

In the name of Thy Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, please incline Thine ear to the earnest prayers of all who love and care deeply for Clark Kimble. As Thine all-seeing eyes behold the patient and humble suffering of Thy son, Clark, please have mercy. Day and night, be not far from him, O Lord.

O Great Physician, if it be Thy will, please extend Thine arms of love and lift Clark from his bed of affliction and heal him from head to toe. Please perform a miracle and raise him to complete and abiding physical health. Strengthen his every sinew and cell, and let Thine abundant power flow through his veins and spirit to cleanse, purify, heal, comfort and bless. Through The Holy Spirit, please whisper encouragement and peace and testimony to his soul, and allow him to keenly witness and feel Thy presence and Thy love.

Please assure Clark that he is not bearing these many afflictions alone, and that there is a purpose, even though we, as mortals, cannot perceive or understand. Please do not allow the mental agony and physical pain Clark has endured to be in vain. But rather, please consecrate it to his good and to Thy glory. Dear Lord, let Clark grow in love for Jesus Christ and in empathy for the atoning sacrifice of Thy Son, who suffered beyond what any mere mortal man can even begin to imagine. Let faith and praise and trust build, and help Clark to draw intimately close to The Savior.

Dear Father, please bless Clark on his mission. He has preached more sermons without speaking than most missionaries do in a lifetime. He has shown us faith. He has shown us patience in suffering. He has shown us humility. He has shown us determination. He has shown us sacrifice. He has shown us abiding love for his family. He has shown us how to climb mountains without feet. He has shown us how to move mountains without defeat. He has shown us that, no matter what Thou dost bring into our lives, we must face it with courage and trust in Thee. He has shown us the importance of protecting our good health. He has shown us the beauty of cherishing family members. He has shown us how to yield our todays and our tomorrows to Thy will.

Please grant strength and inspiration to the physicians, surgeons, and medical staff who attend Clark day and night. Please bless Rhonda, Kristin, and all other family members as they stand beside Clark to support, encouragement, and love. Please bless all family members, friends, and strangers whose love and prayers uphold him, whether they are near or far.

Thy will be done, O Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I love you, Clark!

Cheryl
September 5, 2009

Janeanne said...

Amen!

John Hanes said...

Hi Clark and family, you don't know me but I'm Mitch Hanes's uncle my name is John Hanes. I've read your story and can tell you are a determined fighter and will prevail in this long journey back to good health. I just celebrated one year since my liver transplant at Rochester at Mayo. I had cancer of the bile ducts, our diseases are different but I can relate to everything you have gone through with the transplant. I was 48 when diagnosed with the cancer and will celebrate my 50 birthday this week. It's a long road but I can tell you are up for the journey. I'm praying along with other Watertown folks for your speedy recovery with few complications. I will continue to read your updates waiting for great news. You have a great family behind you and a great God above watching over you. Take care, John Hanes

Bjorn Kimble said...

hey clark this is bjorn i know i havent commented on here but i just want you to know that were all thinking about you, alot of my teachers ask on how progress is going several times a week. Keep FIGHTING you never loose at anything so why start now? love ya bro.

Tiffany Johnson said...

Hey Clark, we just wanted to let you know that you have been in our prayers daily. We know the Lord is by your side making you stronger. We won't stop praying for you. Stay strong. Love, Marty johnson and family

Janeanne said...

Good morning, Clark. Want you to know I'm fasting for you today and praying your incision will be closed up soon.

This story reminds me how strong this struggle is making you. Though hard now, someday you'll be grateful for this valuable lesson. Keep up the fight! We love you.

The Story of the Butterfly

A man found a butterfly cocoon.
One day a small opening appeared.
He watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to squeeze its body through the tiny hole. Then it stopped, as if it couldn't go further.

So the man decided to help. He took a pair of scissors and
snipped off the remaining bits of cocoon. The butterfly emerged easily but it had a swollen body and shriveled wings.

The man continued to watch it,
expecting that any minute the wings would enlarge and expand enough to support the body,
Neither happened! In fact the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around. It was never able to fly.

What the man in his kindness
and haste did not understand:
The restricting cocoon and the struggle required by the butterfly to get through the opening was a way of forcing the fluid from the body into the wings so that it would be ready for flight once that was achieved.

Going through life with no obstacles would cripple us. We will not be as strong as we could have been and we would never fly.


Hope this day is good!

Cher said...

Hi Clark,
Been thinking about you and hope and pray that you are feeling lots better today.

I'm waiting for the next update that says you are back to your short walks. I know you can do it!
(SuperClark.) Keep the faith.

Jena Bracht said...

Keep fighting Clark! I'm still praying for you. You can pull through this, I know you can!!