December 2006 Scott Orrock loved his family. This is a true statement. For you that can remember our home in Page, you will recall pictures of eleven children hung on the wall next to the fireplace and over the Television set. The room was small and Scott would often lay on the floor, in front of the T V, with a pillow folded in half, under his head. Occasionally the kids and I would travel out of town leaving Scott alone for a few days. I would call home in the evening to see how he was doing. Often he would say, "I'm laying here looking at our children. Sometimes it makes me feel sad and lonely. I miss them." Or he would say, "We really have great kids, don't we? We must have done something right." I miss him most when I get off the phone with one of you. I'm used to hearing him call from his room, asking me to come and 'report' my conversation. He loved hearing about the cute or funny things the little ones would say or do. He loved hearing about talks given, games that had been played or just the everyday accomplishments and occurrences. He wanted his children to be happy. He knew you all had problems that needed to be solved and that life was not perfect for you But his feelings ran so deep, your hurts were his hurts, your sorrows were his sorrows. I know he prayed for all of you, and if he knew one of his family was suffering, his night would be restless, while he struggled to come up with a solution to take your pain away. I’m sure his perspective is different now and his pain has turned to joy. I believe he recognizes that we are all learning and growing and that having an 'ouch' now and then is as much a part of our earthly trek as is our happiness. I would say to all of you, as I know he would say, "Love each other, respect each other, support each other and always, remember that Scott and Dawn Orrock love their family." I love you all, Dawn, Mom, Grandma and Great-grandma Family Correspondence on MyFamily.com Subject: Grandpa's in hospital Poster: Susan White - Aug 10, 2006 10:30a.m. As many of you may know now, Grandpa Orrock went into the hospital yesterday morning. He had high blood sugar, a temperature of 103, very low blood sugar, and his congestive heart failure is acting up. He was somewhat incoherent much of yesterday and the night before he had lost control of his bladder. Luckily Jim was able to help him get dressed and get him out to the car yesterday morning He and mom spent most of the day in the ER not getting into a room until about 7: 00 pm where he was a little more comfortable. Lynne, Kathryn, and Julie and Sharlie saw them yesterday. Mom had a hard time leaving him because she was worried they wouldn't give him ice chips when he needed them and as carefully as she knows how to do. She also gave the nurse instructions to turn his pillow often. This morning Mom called and said he is not doing very well today. He is very agitated. The nurse wondered if he had Parkinson's because of his jerking. They had to tie his hands down because he was trying to take out the catheter. His fever is down so the nurse wasn't sure why he was responding this way. Mom had not been able to talk to the doctor yet this morning. Jon and I are on our way down and Jon and Thomas will give him a blessing I'm taking some of the birthday responses down with me and if I feel so inclined 1 might share them as they come in. Carol's family sent some beautiful memories via email. Thanks for responding. And we'll keep you posted Love to you all, Susan Subject: Correction Poster: Susan White - Aug 10, 2006 10:31a.m. I meant he also had very low blood pressure. As you can tell I'm in a hurry to get down to Provo to see him. Susan Subject: Dad/Grandpa Poster: Julie Orrock - Aug 10, 2006 5:10p.m. It is Thursday evening at 6pm Utah time. Dad has had a hard day. Due to a completely negligent doctor he did not receive badly needed attention until late this afternoon. But help did come in the form of a wonderful young foreign lady doctor who scoured Dad's medical records, looked closely at his recent tests, quizzed Mom on his condition and then assessed him. She ordered a battery of tests (she wondered if he would be anemic now as well as it seemed they were taking so much blood) but those results are not yet known. But she has assessed him with bacterial meningitis. Below is a link where you can go to read about just what that means. He is being carefully watched and monitored right now. About an hour ago the doctor allowed him to have some morphine and an anti- anxiety medication and he has relaxed for the first time in nearly 48 hours. Certainly there will be a much better chance for recovery as he is able to relax and allow his body to heal. Mom is with him. She is doing alright but feeling pretty vulnerable just now. Susan and I will be keeping up with everything so feel free to call either of us. You have her numbers, my new number is 801-221-0140. Of course you all know he needs your prayers. 1 will keep information posted here on the site. Julie http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/lung/meningitis. Read what others had to say: Poster: Deborah Speed - Aug 10, 2006 5:15p.m. I just spoke to my dad who wanted me to let everyone know that Grandpa is in room E567 (in the East tower) at Utah Valley Medical Center. Also, I know his name has been put on a couple of prayer rolls, and lam going to call the California temples to put his name on, but it never hurts to add him to more if you can. One more thing, my mom is going to be reading him his birthday notes so if you want to email yours to her, she will be checking her email tonight. Deb Subject: Latest update on Grandpa Poster: Susan White - Aug 10, 2006 8:47p.m. As of 9 PM, this is the latest update on Dad's condition. Dr. Militaru asked Dr. Bishop, a Pulmonologist, to look at Dad to make sure she hadn't overlooked anything. She felt like Dad most likely had meningitis, but wasn't sure. After looking at Dad and asking a lot of questions from Mom, he feels that we first need an accurate diagnosis. Because of the abnormal spinal fluid which contained too much protein and some white blood cells, it could mean meningitis or maybe a paras pins abscess. If it is the latter (which is an infectious abscess right next to the spinal column), it could mean surgery to drain it. Dad is being treated with a range of antibiotics and antiviral medications to treat the obvious infection that is causing his high fevers, due to any number of possible scenarios. Dr. Bishop ordered a CT Scan to be done tonight, to better see where the infection is coming from. He had hoped to do an MRI but with Dad's pacemaker, that wasn't possible; plus he would never have been able to be still that long. Before Jon and I left at 8:30 PM they had ust given Had more Ativan for his tremors. He has not been lucid all day and when he is agitated he appears to be in pain. They started giving him morphine about 4:30 this afternoon. Jon and I left Steve and David with Mom. Mom was going to go home when they took Dad to get prepped for the CT Scan. David will stay until the test is completed. If it is meningitis, visitations should be limited because it is quite infectious. The ones at high risk of being exposed to it are small children, young adults, and older people. Mom has been a wonderful care giver and needs all your prayers. It is taking a toll on her as well. We'll update this again tomorrow when we get more information. Love, Susan Subject: Friday morning update Poster: Susan White - Aug 11, 2006 6:46a.m. 1 just called the hospital and talked to Dad's nurse, Dale. Dad has been moved to #268 in the IMC unit (or the critical care unit). He is stable. They are getting his blood sugars under control. But he is still not responsive and his breathing is irregular although his saturations are good. They are continuing to give him Ativan to keep his tremors under control. The tests they will be doing today are an ultrasound on his gall bladder, a lung scan, and an EEG. Nothing in the cultures they did yesterday have shown anything so far. Anything fast growing would have surfaced by now. Because there is a lot of infectious disease on this floor, young visitors are discouraged and extra care should be taken. I haven't talked to David yet this morning, so 1 don't really know how Dad's night went. What I do know is he is now getting very good care with several top notch doctors on board and they are doing all they can to come up with an accurate diagnosis. Utah Valley Hospital's number is 801-357-7850. I will have my phone with me which is 801-560-5210. Lynne and I will be down there today. Love, Susan Subject: 10:30 AM Update Poster: Susan White - Aug 11, 2006 10:37a.m. I just talked to Lynne who is at the hospital with Mom. They have checked Dad for West Nile Virus and have not recieved the results yet. His gall bladder checked out OK and his kidneys are functioning. His blood sugar is at 105 with an insulin drip that they are going to back off from a little. His temperture is normal. Dad's platelets were at 62 when he came in two days ago and they are now 42 which is low. He responds to tickling and is more responsive on his left side than his right. They continue to give him morphine and Ativan. His breathing is still irregular but his saturation levels are around 97 which is good. The pulmonary specialist will be seeing him again as well as an infectious control doctor. I think they have yet to do the EEG. I told Lynne that I had been recieving some emails and she said to bring them and read them to Dad as they told her to keep talking to him. If he can hear anything what better things to hear than sweet expressions of love from his children and grandchildren. Lynne just called again and said they have given Dad a shave and because he seems to be so uncomfortable on his back that they are moving him to his side. They will give him morphine every two hours now. Lynne asked if that was making him so unresponsive and Dale, the nurse said his neurological signs are the same as they were before. Having seen him before and after the morphine and the Ativan, the only difference is the lack of tremors and his sleep apnea is not so disruptive. But his inability to respond is the same. Dale is calling Byron with Dad's labs in front of him. We will try to keep you informed as new information arises. Love, Susan Subject: I saw Grandpa today Poster: Kathryn LeBaron - Aug 11, 2006 12:02p.m. I went over to the hospital and saw Grandpa today before work. He is sleeping more soundly and is responsive to voice. Lynne (mother) and Grandma were both talking to him constantly, and if he would start to get restless and anxious, they would soothingly speak to him_ it was truly amazing how he responded As he would get anxious his respirations would rise quickly, and then Mom and Grandma would speak to him and tell him he's okay and who is there to see him, that his breathing is good, and about the wonderful care he is receiving. Immediately his respirations would calm down. It was very touching to see. Dale, his nurse was in and out of the room constantly within the hour and a half that I was there. He was very attentive to Grandpa, and it was good to see that, as well. Grandma told me that she feels so much better with Dale there and the staff on the second floor because she knows that Grandpa is being taken care of when she isn't able to be there with him herself I love you all, and hope to see you all again soon. Love Kathryn Subject: The latest on Grandpa Poster: Susan White - Aug 11, 2006 2:20p.m. Lynne just called with the latest news. From one of the cultures they have determined he has Gram-Positive Cocci in clusters which is bacterial. I looked it up on the internet and found some information but still not sure what it means. They are treating him with Zyvox which is a broad spectrum antibiotic. They will take him off all antivirals. When Lynne asked how he got it, the response`was, "Good question." They are still waiting to find out about the West Nile Virus. His systems are all working. They turn him every 2 hours, put eye drops in, use glycerin swabs, and keep his lips moist. Dale showed Lynne that Dad is not responsive at all. Dad would naturally close his hand over Dales hand (like a baby naturally does) but when he asked Dad to let go, he didn't. However, like Kathryn said, he seems to respond to touch and soothing words. Lynne just called me with information from the infectious disease specialist. This is more sobering. They still think there is a posibility he has West Nile Virus and perhaps even Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. As a result he probably has encephilitus which is inflammation of the brain - correct. He asked a lot of questions from Mom regarding the time line and where he has been. It fits the time line from the Foote reunion. They may not really know until tomorrow. His heart is hot doing well. It is pumping at 1/3 its capacity. Lynne asked if it is West Nile Virus what can be done? The doctors response, "There is nothing we can do. I hope we can bring him back, but I'm not sure at all." He was very somber. Dad needs your prayers more than ever. Lynne has been great to get this information and pass it on to me at home so I can pass it on to everyone else. Susan Subject: 5:00 PM Poster: Susan White - Aug 11, 2006 5:09p.m. Latest news from Lynne. They have tested for herpes and that was negative. They are doing an EEG right now in his room. It is quite a process but it will measure his brain and look for any abnormal brain patterns. We will have to wait for the neurologist to read it and report back, however if there was something alarming we would find out sooner than later. Dr. Milataru got Mom's permission for a feeding tube. It is very small and they feel it is the best way to get Dad nutrition. Lynne talked to Dale about the possible emergency scenerios. She then talked to Mom about them since neither Mom nor Dad have a living will. Lynne will stay another hour or so. I will be at the hospital all day tomorrow. Susan Subject: 9:45 PM Poster: Susan White - Aug 11, 2006 10:04p.m. I talked to Lynne after she left the hospital. Mom and Steven had left for home together. They were waiting to put in the feeding tube until after the family left as it is quite a process. It will go down into his bowels i f I understood correctly. This way his GI will keep functioning. The neurologist came and looked at Dad and asked a lot of questions. She didn't know that the EEG had been completed until Lynne told her. She left with the intent to study it tonight. Mom filled out a living will before she left. Mom and Lynne talked to Art, the nurse tonight, a lot about Dad's comfort. Dad was definitely responding to touch and voice. Lynne said his numbers would go way down and then she would touch him and sooth him and they would come back up immediately. Mom and Dad's bishop and wife came by earlier. Mom started to cry and he said that was okay He said he had a friend say to him, "When I came into this earth, I cried and others laughed. When I leave, they will be crying and I will be laughing." Steve and Joe gave Mom a blessing. Lynne said it was beautiful. Steve blessed Mom with the ability to understand the doctors, that the angels would support her, she would feel peace, and she would be strengthened both physically and emotionally. One of the last things the nurse told Mom and Lynne was that the doctors were stumped Dad's case was atypical. We hope tomorrow will have more answers. I will be taking the emails to read to him. Because Lynne will be gone all day to a family wedding, I will be at the hospital and will call someone else to update the website. My cell number 801-560-5210. Love to you all, Susan Subject: 7:35 AM Poster: Susan White - Aug 12, 2006 7:41a.m. I just called the hospital and talked to Anita, Dad's new nurse. She said he had a V - tac during the night. (1 don't know if I spelled that right.) That is where his ventrical beat very fast. She said he has what they call an irritable heart. His saturations are good. She did have to suction him out through his nose, although he didn't like it, I'm sure it made him feel better in the long run. They didn't have to give him much morphine or Ativan during the night because he just didn't look like he required it. Anita said her main objective is to keep him comfortable. I was glad to hear that. I will be leaving in about an hour for the hospital. Love, Susan Subject: 11:45am Poster: Julie Orrock - Aug 12, 2006 11:59a.m. This is not a good news email. Dad has declined quite a bit since last night. He is so weak that he is not able to fight off whatever infection it is that is raging the battle in him. His breathing is so shallow that his lungs are beginning to fill up with fluid Although the nurses can suction them out, that is only putting off the inevitable. When the respitory person was in the room this morning, Susan asked if he could say how long Dad might have. He said that although it is hard to say, he felt like it is only a matter of days, perhaps less. He is comfortable and they have assured us that this is an easier way to go. Mom hopes that he won't have to suffer long. Susan, Steven, Mom and a few others are there right now. They are reading the family emails to him. Subject: 3:30pm Update Poster: Jessica Mathews - Aug 12, 2006 3:37p.m. Susan wanted everyone to be updated on the latest with Grandpa. Everything that Julie stated in the 11:45am update is still pretty much the way things are now. Just a few more details. Grandpa has developed a staph infection (sp?) in his blood and is being treated for that. Also, last night Grandpa had an EEG done and the nurse this morning read the notes that the neurologist made after examining the results of the test. There was no sign of seizures, but it was showing swelling in the brain lining. Basically, whatever Grandpa contracted is attacking his neurological system... which unfortunately affects the rest of his body. They are waiting on the results of some tests (might find out by Monday at the earliest) if it is West Nile Virus or Rocky Mountian Spotted Fever??? (from ticks). They are not sure still what he has and at this point Grandma doesn't want them to perform anymore tests as it just makes Grandpa uncomfortable andftom what the respiratory therapist said it probably won't make a difference what he has. Like Julie said, at this point Grandpa is filling up with fluids and after taking some chest xrays today the R.T. said that they will probably find a good case of pneumonia, which is common in these cases. On the positive side, Susan and Lynne have been reading to Grandpa all of the emails that have come in. There has been a lot of laughing and crying and there is really a positive feeling and a good spirit in the room. Grandma is an amazing woman and is handling this very hard time with grace and beauty and dignity and is a good example to all. Jessica Subject: Grandpa Poster: Kathryn LeBaron - Aug 12, 2006 4:20p.m. Hello everyone. I told Susan that 1 would put an update on here today. 1 can only imagine how anxious, those of you who aren't able to make it to see Grandpa, must be. I just wanted to let you know that the spirit that was in Grandpa's room today was a very beautiful and peaceful one. When I got there to see him this morning, I was a little scared with how much he had changed overnight. It was frustrating because we still didn't know what had caused the infection. He wasn't doing so well, and 1 wanted to leave because... well, I have my reasons. It just scared me, that's all. I just want everyone to know how thankful I am that I stayed Susan read through the emails that were sent to her, and it was really good for me to hear everyone's memories of Grandpa. It would seem that many of the grandchildren, myself included, remember giving Grandpa back scratches to which, I'm glad to know, I was not the only one who did not receive payment. (That's my attempt at humor, right now.) That's what we did today. We read the emails, and as we did that, we spoke and laughed, and recalled what we remembered.. it was very good to do that. It is a hard time right now, but the love that was felt in that room today was so warm and comforting. One of the specialists, I can't remember which one, came in to check up on Grandpa and gave us some information that really helped, as well. He said that he was watching Grandpa's face for anysign of discomfort, and said that he found none. He said, normally, if Grandpa were aware of the trauma and pain his body is experiencing (they are still giving him morphine) then he would show it in his face by furrowing his brows, and clenching his jaw. As it was none of that was happening, and it was, and is still, a great comfort to know that he's not feeling pain. I'm sorry that this email isn't more informative. I love you all Kathryn Read what others have to say: Poster. Kathy Pruett - Aug 12, 2006 8:52p.m. Don't worry about the "information", what you said was perfect, thanks! Subject: Grandpa Poster Jessica Mathews - Aug 13, 2006 1:37p.m. I was just given a few details about Grandpa this morning and was asked to update everyone as it seems that there are a lot of people checking the website looking for information. Jim was able to spend last night with Grandpa. He stepped out of the room early this morning for a moment and when he returned to the room the nurse informed him that Grandpa had just passed away at 7:46am. I was told that as a nurse, Grandma Anderson had said that this was a common thing in the sense that people waited until they were alone and early in the morning to pass on. They said that it was very peaceful. Afterwards, Grandma, Susan, Jon, David, and Steve joined Jim at the hospital and Susan finished reading all of the emails that she had received last night. Lynne and Kathy got there shortly after and they all spent some time together reminiscing with lots of crying and lots of laughing Lynne said that the nurses were very sweet and hugged them all. The nurses said that they appreciated being able to take care of Grandpa and they felt that he must have been a very sweet and special man with such a great family. Right now the siblings that are in town are meeting with Grandma at David and Julie's to make the funeral arrangements. The tentative dates are that the viewing will be on Wednesday night with the funeral being sometime Thursday morning If I got any of the details wrong, I apologize, I was given the information on the phone through Lynne, via Susan. Of course more information will follow. On a similar note, at this time I want to express my love for this whole family, which Julie tells me, consists of 116 people from Grandma and Grandpa down to little baby Owen. I have felt the spirit so closely these last few days and even with the sadness that I have felt (and know that we are all feeling) I have also been overwhelmed by a feeling of peace and comfort to know that we all have the opportunity to be with Grandpa again someday and also of joy and happiness that Grandpa has moved on and reunited with so many loved ones. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is real and has never seemed as simple to me as it does right now. Subject: Grandpa Poster: Jessica Mathews - Aug 15, 2006 11:30a.m. Grandpa's obituary is in the Daily Herald today. You can find it online at www.harktheherald.com and just click on the obituaries tab. It is very nice. The information in it said that there will be a viewing tomorrow (Wednesday, Aug 16^th), from 6-8pm at the Walker Family Mortuary, 85 East 300 South, in Provo (right around the corner from my house). The funeral will be on Thursday, August 17t^h at the Kolob 9^th Ward building located at 1627 West 1200 South, in Springville starting at 11:00 am with another viewing at the church just before the funeral from 9:45 -10:45 am. Jessica Subject: Deseret News Article Poster: Jessica Mathews - Aug 15, 2006 4:31p.m. www.deseretnews.com has an article that mentions Grandpa (they didn't mention his name). I guess that they determined that it was West Nile. The article has tips and links for what we can do to help prevent West Nile. Something that we should all do. Jessica