Sojourn to Utah: End of June-Mid July 2025

This trip was more chaotic than usual with some unexpected events happening, but I'm glad we made it there and had a mostly enjoyable time.

A Little Back Story
Hayley was diagnosed with ITP (immune thrombocytopenia, a blood disorder) a month ago. She came home from the last day of school and had tiny little purple/red dots on her legs and her bruises looked really severe. We got blood work done two days later and her diagnosis. She was admitted that day to do some treatment (IVIG). So that was the first time she had been in the hospital. This past week she was in the hospital again because she had blood in her urine. Her platelet levels went up for about a week after being in the hospital the first time, but didn't stay up. She got a hematologist and we tried steroids when they dipped again, but they didn't work. My mom flew out to be with us and stay the night with her since I can't really with Josh still nursing and Dan's schedule is unpredictable.

June 20
We met with the hematologist this morning and got the clear to travel to Utah. I was a little worried we might not be able to but her levels were high enough that we got the go ahead. We drove to Forney in the afternoon and got there after dinner time to stay the night with Ryan and Kylee. They were so gracious to host us and my Mom.

June 21
Ryan took us to the airport bright and early, bless him. It was nice to have my Mom with us to help. I was really nervous about flying by myself with four kids and glad I only had to one way. Josh did decent on the flight. He fussed a little more than I would have liked but wasn't unbearable. We made it to Utah a little before 11:00 AM. My Dad picked us up and we barely all fit in the car with all our luggage ha. The girls all fell asleep on the drive to my parent's house so I made them lay down for a little bit when we got there. I definitely needed a nap.

June 22
We went to church this morning and got to spend some time with Matt and Andrea and their boys.

June 23
Spent the day hanging out at my parent's.

June 24
Played with the Kelley boys in the morning and then met up at the park with the Hayward cousins for lunch and a little play time. 

June 25
We had Hayley's blood drawn this morning because we were told we needed to do labs while in Utah to check her platelets. We were told we probably wouldn't get the results 'til the next morning though. In the late afternoon we went swimming at Joe and Gloria's (Mike's parents). It was Josh's first time in a pool and he wasn't too sure about it. He didn't last very long, but we tried. Hayley ended up bumping her head on the bottom of the pool slide because she stood up before she was clear of it. I called her pediatrician in Shreveport to ask if she thought we needed to go to the ER or not. She recommended we do just with her recent history of lower platelets and hospitalizations. 
So Hayley, Josh, and I headed to primary children's ER after showering real quick and getting some food. Thankfully the ER wasn't busy at all. We walked in and went straight back to a room. No one was in the waiting room. They wanted to draw her blood to see what her platelet levels were at before deciding whether or not to do a CT scan of her head. Her levels came back at a 3 (normal range is between 150-450). That was the lowest they'd been yet. So the doctor decided to do the CT scan. Thankfully it all came back normal! But she was admitted because her levels were so low.
Aunt Audrey came to stay the night with her since the only way I could was if we brought a pack n play in for Josh. I left the hospital a little after midnight.

The CT scanner was the steering wheel to a pirate ship. The whole room was pirate themed and it was amazing. Hayley was so brave.

Some rare Josh snuggles in the ER while waiting for results.

June 26
Happy 12 year anniversary to Dan and me! Didn't think I'd be spending it in the hospital, but he was too so I guess we were connected in a way even though starts apart haha.
I did not get enough sleep last night but oh well. I woke up early so I could head back up to the hospital to hopefully catch the doctors and talk to them while they were rounding. Unfortunately, I was still on my way there when they made it to Hayley's room so I had to chat with them on speaker phone. I wasn't overly impressed with the hematologist there. Because Hayley wasn't her actual patient she didn't seem to be too invested in her care, which I did understand a little bit and it kind of made sense but I had higher expectations because of the reputation of that hospital. And it would have been nice to get a potential second opinion about things. The nurses and the hospital itself were phenomenal though! Hayley loved it there ha. The nurses took great care of her and there was no shortage of things to keep her entertained. Plus she had more visitors here than at home.

Trip down to the cafeteria with Aunt Audrey after midnight.

Her sisters got to join in on some crafts.

June 27

It was another early morning so I could make it back up to the hospital. Becky stayed with Hayley last night. I was able to chat with the doctor in person this time. Again, she wasn't super helpful about doing anything while we were in Utah since Hayley isn't her patient and has her own care team back home. I get that and when I talked to Dan about it later he said he wasn't surprised since she's an out of state Medicaid patient. Her hematologist back home has been in the loop with everything going on and has been great about it all. We were told we could stay, and just continue to do weekly blood draws while here. And to obviously continue to be cautious and limit activities.
She was discharged this morning and able to go back to my parent's house. Really hoping for no more hospitalizations! 

She made bracelets for several nurses with this kit Aunt Robyn gave her.

Becky took the girls to dinner and Five Below tonight. It was good for them to have some Grandma time with her.

June 28

I had breakfast with my bestie and former mission companion, Ashley, this morning. We went to Sill's cafe in Layton. I hadn't been there probably since high school. It was delicious and always so nice to catch up with her in person. 

Then we went swimming at Joe and Glo's again. The girls were in heaven too because Kristi brough puppies over and they love chasing them around and holding them.

June 29
We went to church again this morning. It's always fun to see my old wardies and catch up with some of them. The girls really like seeing their old teachers too.

Got these fake nails for free at Target for a summer promotion they were doing. Hayley and Paige ended up wanting theirs clipped down smaller but Evelyn loved the length.

Sort of twinning with my little boyfriend.

June 30
Spent another day just hanging out at my parent's house.

July 1

And anther.

July 2

Hayley had to get her blood drawn this morning. We got the results the next day and I'm not so sure they were accurate because there was clumping so they estimated around 30.
In the afternoon we went swimming at Joe and Glo's again. Only for it to be cut a little short because a thunderstorm rolled in.

July 3

This morning I was able to film a HIGH Fitness class for the app. It was lots of fun and I'm so glad I was able to do it. The original plan was on the 26th but when Hayley was hospitalized I had to cancel. Thankfully it worked out to do it this morning. 

They wanted him to sleep with them all night.

July 4

I woke up early and went to my friend Jenna's HIGH class this morning. Best way to start off the 4th. Then I came home and we all got ready for the parade, which we enjoyed with the Hayward's. We did a lunch BBQ at Paul and Becky's after to celebrate Becky's birthday.

We went over to Joe and Glo's again for a BBQ and more swimming. Just as we were ready to eat another thunderstorm rolled in and forced us all inside. We went back to my parent's after eating and were able to watch the fireworks that evening.

July 5
As soon as I came upstairs with Josh after waking up my Dad told me that my Grandma passed away last night. We were planning on celebrating her birthday today at the home she was in. I hadn't seen her for years since she was down in St. George every time I was in town and was really looking forward to it and her meeting Josh. She had pneumonia this week but we were told the party was still happening so we didn't know she was as sick as she was.
We still went to Logan and celebrated her life. It was good to see family members I hadn't seen in a very long time. I only got emotional when my Mom took me to the room she stayed in. I'll miss her. She was truly the best Grandma a grandkid could have hoped for. 

Her house in Hyrum. Many amazing memories here. Hard to say goodbye.

July 6
Another Sunday in my parent's ward. Matt and Andrea joined us today and that was fun. 

July 7

All the kids had some cousin time together today. Things got a little interrupted when we had some family come over and visit after we had lunch at Chick-Fil-A. But it was nice to visit with them and catch up. 

July 8
Hayley had another round of labs this morning. She's gotten so good at getting her blood drawn. Several of the phlebotomists have complimented her and said she does better than some adults. 
After lunch time I surprised the girls with going to Ivy City Co's ten year birthday bash. It was a lot of waiting in lines for stuff, but they did great and had lots of fun. They asked if we could go again next year ha. We each got a new dress and some pajamas. They had a balloon character artist, caricature artist, gelato, disney princess meet and great, and face glitter bar besides the shopping. It was lots of fun to do with the girls. I sure love my girl gang. And thanks to my Mom for watching Josh while we went.

The balloons they each chose fit their personalities so well.

July 9
Today was our Cherry Hill day with the Hayward cousins.