MONDAY, JANUARY 24th, 2011

Hi,

Most of all--thanks for yours prayers and fastings. It is a tangible thing that is healing Charis and her family in many ways.

Charis got a priesthood blessing from Landon (her uncle) when she first got out of surgery on the day of the accident. He gave her another one today. A very special thing about Landon is he's not much older than she is and he, himself, went through open heart surgery six or seven years ago. He has a pacemaker, too. So she's close to him and now will sport a matching scar!

Yesterday Charis' blood pressure went lower (a very good thing).

They don't have to worry about the liver now--it will heal itself.

Today they started letting the anesthesia be lighter--to bring her out of it a little more. Charis has an energized body, ya know. So she was more awake today. One time she was watching the nurse move around. Kathy noticed it and told the nurse that Charis might want her. The nurse came to Charis and said, "Charis, are you in pain?" and Charis nodded her head yes. So the nurse gave her more pain medicine. Another time they asked if she needed more pain medicine and she shook her head no. She hasn't needed as much pain medicine. YEA!

About 4 pm today Landon came over again to give her a blessing before her heart surgery. He is starting his nursing major at Utah Valley University this month. Anyway like I said, he's had open heart surgery, too. Before the blessing Charis was trying to lift up her head, and move her hands around to reach and move the tubes in her mouth to pull out things and talk. They had to tie her hands down (Lauralee had that, too).

Landon asked Charis if she wanted a blessing. She nodded yes and closed her eyes.

After the blessing Landon leaned down close to her and said, "Charis, you relax. I know how you feel. I had two tubes down my throat, too, and it's not fun. But you're going to be okay. It made me sick and want to throw up to have the tubes down my throat. I know there are a lot of machines around you." Charis just listened well to him and calmed down. It was so good that he had had that experience before, and could calm her down. She's close to that Landon kid.

They were supposed to take her in for open heart surgery today about 4:30 pm. But they didn't take her in until 7 pm and probably didn't start till 8:30 pm or later. The surgery to put the stent ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stent ) in the aorta is supposed to take three hours, so it may be done at midnight or 1 am. If they call me with an update by morning I'll let you know about it.

Chad's mom said that this heart surgery is the top of the mountain, and there would be valleys and hills in her recovery.

Kathy stays with Cassie at nights. Cassie doesn't want to be alone in case something happens. Then Kathy goes home in the day. After this surgery maybe some of you people could take turns staying overnight with Cass.

They have had so many different visitors of family and friends. Kathy and Cass will try to write you all down (or you can write down here when you came).

The wife of the guy who was driving the car made and brought over a lot of beanies that say "CHARIS EVERY MOMENT" with a peace sign on it. She's done them for anyone who wants one. She's done lots of colors. THANKS!!!

There was no drugs or alcohol involved in the accident. The wife is glad the car is gone now, because it was too fast.

Car insurances will start to help pay the costs.

Well, that's about it for yesterday and today. They definitely are feeling your prayers. A cousin of Charis' fasted last Thursday with friends through a physically draining day. Every bit of what you do is known to God and will be consecrated to help Charis and her family. THEY LOVE YOU ALL!

Susie