Ora Carpenter Omerza journal June 1-5, 1980

1 June 1980

This is Sunday. I went to see Em early in the morning. He had had a pretty rough night. The operation and the pain killing drugs had made him very confused. They had had to restrain him. When I saw that I knew we were in trouble. Em has to be free. I tried to explain to them but in his confused state there was nothing else to do. I broke down and the tears flowed. Finally the tears were all gone and I went again at eleven o’clock to see him. Things were a little better. I went again at two and they told me they were taking him out of intensive care and he would be in his room by five. Jay and Ted came at five we found Em in a very lovely room. He had a room to himself. He seemed to be a little better but still confused. Jay and Ted administered to him. He was calm when we left. Madge and John went in to see him a little later and said he was calm and his mind clear. We had all been fasting and praying for him. I went to bed feeling very confident that he would have a good night.

2 June 1980 (Monday)

Went in early to see Em. I was very surprised to learn he had spent a very restless night and had had to be restrained again. I ask that he not be given any more pain killing drugs. He was not in that much pain. It was a hard day. They kept the restraints on him all day. He knew very little of what was going on. Jay and Ted came by after work. Em seemed glad to see them. They told him they would be by the next evening. I’m worried about Jay. He hasn’t been feeling well for some time.

3 June 1980 Tuesday

Em is a little better today. They removed the tube from his nose. That made him feel a lot better. He is still a little confused.

4 June 1980

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I went to see Em today. They had removed all the wires and tubes and he was moving. He said his legs and feet were much better. It could have been a great day for rejoicing but today they told him about the tumor on his liver and that they wanted to keep him a few days longer to run some tests. He took it fairly well. I’m not quite sure he fully understands. Ted didn’t come tonight. Jay went in late as he had to work late. Jay wasn’t feeling well at all today and has an appointment with the doctor tomorrow.

5 June 1980 Thursday

I went in and visited with Em for awhile then went to the Genealogical Library. Afterwards I came back to see Em again. They took a scan today and tomorrow they will take x-rays of him. We are uniting our faith that there will be no cancer in his body. Ted came in to see him this evening. He seemed to enjoy his visit, especially when Ted told of Jeremy taking his first steps. He actually laughed when Ted told of Jeremy taking a few steps and then stopping and laughing presumedly for the sheer joy of walking and for Jennifer bringing the bike for him to ride.

I talked to Jay this evening. The doctor had taken some tests but will have to wait for the results before knowing the cause of his illness.