Living Life

So mom continues to improve and the main problem right now is her spirits. She really wants to come home but until she progresses to the point were they are happy with her rehab that can't happen. As much as I would love to have here, we simply cannot give her the level of care she needs right now. Her therapy goes well and she improves daily but of course it's not fast enough for her. She's also a worrier and does most of her worrying at night which means she's not sleeping. That's not real unusual for her though; even when she was at home it was common to find her awake and doing a bible study or reading at anytime throughout the night. Her doctor has prescribed a sleep aid, which will start tonight and we're praying that it will help her to rest.

The needle of our life has moved very close to the normal range. Shasta and I both back to work and living at the house. We have our puppies back and what a blessing they have been. We even got them groomed and took them in to see their "grandma" last night and that really was a good visit. I apologize for taking so long with this update but even in the normal range my life can seems like it's filled to the rim.

Quirky Quote Contest Entry # 2

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.” C.S. Lewis

Quirky Quote Contest Entry

So Julie is running a contest and here's my first entry.

"I've always been skeptical of those television healers who are bald. I mean, if I had that gift, that would be the first thing I'd fix." - Tony Campolo

Better Every Day

As I said previously they moved mom to Shenandoah on Friday and while her first night there was pretty pain filled, the subsequent days have been better and she seems to feeling better and doing better each time I drop in to see her. The doctors seem to have gotten the right pain medication to manage her pain effectively and I think that's gonna be the key to her being a good patient. She has said before "when I'm in pain I can be a b****" and I can only imagine how much pain having almost 1/2 your foot removed would result in. She had her first round of physical therapy this morning and she said it went really well the therapists were even impressed with how well she could move from the bed to the bedside commode. Remember I said baby steps, and the ability to do that gives her back just a bit of the freedom she has lost in the past month. I have to watch my own thoughts and mind cause there are still timea when I get this sense of dread and gloom about the whole situation but God has been sooooo faithful that there's no reason for me to doubt him. Pastor Porky preached last week about how when we have those thoughts we need to take the time to say a silent prayer for 10 or 15 people that might be struggling with the same problem. I have tried to do that and it honestly works.

Thanks to everyone who has taken time to call, visit, or send a card to mom. My friend Pam joked the other day that the home might get tired of all the visitors that mom has by the time she's released :D But I know she really enjoys the visits, so if you have time head on by and say hi, even if it's just for a few minutes.

A Big Step

So they moved mom to Shenandoah Health Village for her rehab and recovery. This is a big step in the process of getting her up and moving and rehabilitated and eventually back home. She was in pretty good spirits yesterday evening, but she called about 10 last night and asked me to bring a fan and she was down when I got there. Please pray for her spirits, it's been a traumatic 3 weeks for her and I know it hasn't been easy. If you live in the area and have the time I'm sure she would love a visit and some company.

Good News

Well it looks like we are a go to have Mom transferred to Shenandoah Health Village tomorrow. She actually progressing very well and the sooner the rehab starts the sooner she can get back to living life and this is all part of the process. Please pray that everything goes smoothly tomorrow and that she gets a good long night of sleep tonight, I think tomorrow's gonna be a busy day for her.

Grasping at normalcy

First of all, sorry for not updating sooner. This weekend saw me go through a whole range of emotions but the past several days have been much better. Mom continues to improve and today has probably been the best day she's had since before everything began. She actually told me "I think I'm gonna make it." Prospects are looking good for her to move to the skilled nursing home for rehab as early as Friday, which would be awesome since her b-day is Saturday. I have started the processes to get assistance with her hospital bill and Medicaid for her stay at the nursing home and it wasn't as hard as I thought. Please continue to pray, I feel like I'm in a minefield where one wrong move will blow everything up for her. She deserves the best possible care she can get and I definitely wanna make that possible.

Shasta and I got to spend sometime with our friends Randy & Mara and their brand new baby Eli, what a great experience. It is awesome to see the joy that he's brought into their lives. We also got to visit with our puppies and last night I actually made dinner and we watched a movie at home. It was soooo nice to be able to do that and just spend time with my wife. I've said it before but I don't think I would have made it through this without her.

Yo-yoing

Well the past few days have been a yo-yo. I have been very encouraged to see mom make several really good steps with her therapy and to see her attitude and spirits much improved. Her sugar continues to be a concern, but the doctors are working on getting the right medicines to get that under control. I have been overwhelmed the past few days with the magnitude of what her bill will be and the arrangements needs for her skilled nursing care. Fortunately the hospital does offer assistance for her bill, unfortunately the paperwork is quite lengthy and I feel inadequate to the task. There's also the question of getting Medicaid assistance for her skilled nursing care. I called Friday and the earliest I can get an appointment to talk with someone is in March. Pray for confidence for me with both of these and that God will provide open doors so she can get the care she needs. We still do not have word on when they plan to move her and while I know she's going a bit stir crazy in here. I also know that the more time she spends here, is less time that will be required in skilled nursing. Please pray for God's will in everything and the willingness for me to accept it.

Shasta and I got to spend a night together in our own bed for the first time in over a week and it was very nice. Like I've said earlier, sometimes I can't shut my brain off and I woke up at one point worrying about the things I mentioned in the previous paragraph. I feel like I haven't given my incredible wife the attention she needs and definitely deserves. My cousin is planning on staying with Mom tonight and Shasta and I will spend some time with friends and visit the pups and have some quality time just enjoying each others company.

A light up ahead

Well not a long update today. Mom continues to improve and today she seemed to come to the realization that this is not going to be easy but she is up for it. We are already working on making arrangements for her skilled nursing care after she leaves the hospital and it looks like we are going to be able to get her into the facility that is our first choice. Please pray that God will open doors and guide me while I try to navigate the forms and complexities of getting her the medicaid assistance she'll need for her stay and after care.

Little bumps

So today really was a good day for mom. She got a full nights sleep last night and woke up, well, she woke up cantankerous. But I figure she's entitled to a little bit of cantankerousness (that a word?)with all she's been through. She's already had 2 physical therapy sessions and they've actually had her up on her feet. Because of the arthritis in her left leg, the rehab process is going to be a lengthy one while her right foot heals. She's going to have to learn some exercises and how to compensate for the temporary loss of the use of her right foot. Please pray for strength and encouragement for her and for all of us really. They did say today that the culture from the infection in her foot was MRSA, which can be very deadly. The doctor seemed to think he got it all and any that might be left can be cleaned up with antibiotics. The did have an infectious disease specialist come in to look at it and he's supposed to talk to her tomorrow about the duration, the meds, etc. On a bit of a lighter note; Shasta and I went out to grab a quick bite and when we came back this bed wheeled by us and Shasta said "that looked like Ruth. But no, couldn't be..." We get back to her room and she's gone. Mom, bed and all are not there. We finally looked at the white board in her room and it says X-Ray 21:10. We buzzed the nurse and she confirmed that the surgeon sent her down for X-Rays. I'm guessing it was to check and see if the infection has spread any. I did get to see the dressing change today, and not that I'm expert, but it looked cleaned and there was no sign of any yellowish drainage. And having seen how aggressive this infection was over the weekend and how quickly it spread and most importantly knowing the God who has carried her through this I am very optimistic that we are into her healing and rehab process.

Peace

Last night, they surgeon took about 1/2 of mom's foot to prevent what was a very aggressive infection from spreading further. When I talked to the surgeon afterwards, he said if they had waited until today to operate they likely would have had to amputate to the knee. So praise God for giving him the wisdom to do the surgery quickly and with as little foot removal as possible.

Today has seen much improvement in Mom. She is naturally experiencing a lot of pain in her foot but her mind is clearer, the color has returned to her face and she has eaten 2 full meals for the first time in several days. The doctor also said her vitals are moving more toward the normal range and he is very pleased with her condition. I've said before that we know this is going to be a long haul and it seems that I finally have a peace about it. Early yesterday afternoon after battling anxious moments repeatedly over the past 4-5 days I was comforted by a peace that had to be from God and I am thankful, grateful and praising him for his infinite mercy, healing and peace.

Job 11:15-20

then you will lift up your face without shame;
you will stand firm and without fear.

You will surely forget your trouble,
recalling it only as waters gone by.

Life will be brighter than noonday,
and darkness will become like morning.

You will be secure, because there is hope;
you will look about you and take your rest in safety.

You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid,
and many will court your favor.

But the eyes of the wicked will fail,
and escape will elude them;
their hope will become a dying gasp.

Quick Update

Shasta and I stayed with Mom last night and she got much more sleep and seems to have rested well. She is very frustrated this morning with not being able to get out of bad. Please pray for peace and comfort for her. She is scheduled to have a stress test today to see if her heart can stand the surgery. Depending on the results of that they may operate on her foot tomorrow.

Please continue to pray for strength for mom and for our family. My brain has been on hyper drive and there are times when I wish I could just turn it off. I am worrier (like my mother) and I think I have run every possibility through my mind 100 times. So please pray for that I will be able to get some clarity and just be able to trust God with whatever comes of this.

"So hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace."

Baby Steps

Well today was simply a better day. No major improvements but mom's spirits were better and when we left she seemed be starting to get some much needed rest. Please pray for a supernatural slumber for her tonight and for all of us really. I know Shasta could use it as well as Dana or I. I talked a few posts ago about The Long Haul and each day we see a little bit more what that may entail. The literal flood of support and love from the body of Christ has moved me to tears at times and has been simply overwhelming.

Please continue to pray for mom. Pray specifically for deep sleep tonight, pray that the infection in her toe will clear up sufficiently that they can remove the toe with minimal harm to the rest of her foot. And pray for our family as a whole as we adjust to the need to support and care for her afterwards.

Tired but Thankful

Dana and I just got back from the movies and spending some time together. It was nice to be able to relax a bit in the midst of everything that's been going on. Today was not an easy day but even in todays, and the past several days I have found several things I am thankful for.

1. That we serve a God who has all things under his control. I am constantly remind myself of this
2. My wife and my brother. My wife is an incredible woman that has more strength than I ever imagined. My brother has shown empathy, brought humor and listened to my tears all without any judgment.
3. Today I am thankful that even with all the discomfort mom is in, she is not in ICU and the doctor has said she is not in a life or death situation.

I have promised myself and prayed tonight that I will lay this situation and the rest of my life at my Saviors feet. This is a real struggle for me, I like to have everything in order and as much under my control as possible.

A couple prayer requests, please continue to pray for mom and my family. Also pray for my friend Violet, she recently had heart surgery and had to be rushed to ICU tonight (in the same hospital my mom is in, incidentally). She apparently has an infection, although it's not around the heart. Pray for Violet, her husband Al, her daughter Sam and Sam's husband Frank as well her granddaughters Lacy and Kaitlyn.

The Long Haul

Just a quick update on Mom. She is in a regular room today and her spirits are not as good. They have also put her on oxygen as she is wheezing a bit. She is very tired and said she needs to sleep but she doesn't wanna go to sleep. We discussed this with the doctor and she said it's most likely a result of her pain medication and she said she would give her a sleeping pill with her meds tonight to help her rest. I would say today is not a bad day, and while it's not as good as yesterday we'll take it and continue to trust God's will. Shasta is planning on spending the next couple of nights here at the hospital with her.

We did talk to the doctor and she said that she does have a long way to go but she's not in immediate danger and the major concern right now is her foot and how much she is going to lose due to the infection. This is going to be a long process and I am trying as much as possible to keep a positive mindset but it is difficult and there are time when I wish I could runaway and hide. I am extremely grateful that my brother is here and words can't express how much my wife means to me right now. Thank you to everyone who has prayed, called and visited. Please continue to do those things, but most especially we covet your prayer.