November 19, 2013

Sorry for the delay on an update. Things have been so up and down I honestly didnt feel that I could put it in words properly. Daddy has been doing well with a few hiccups here and there. They tell us that it is all normal and not to see it as a setback but it is very difficult to watch. On Friday he passed his swallow test. That is a must and many people have to take it several times before they are cleared. That was super encouraging! They got him up and had him walk on Friday also, which baffled our minds! To be walking so soon after such a major surgery was just incredible to us! On Saturday things werent going as well. He has to be on a machine that helps to expand the lungs. He has been taking such short, shallow breathes for such a long time he needed help to retrain himself on HOW to breathe. He really dislikes that machine and fights it rather than works with it. He panics and feels like he cant breathe again. This starts the vicious cycle of raising his blood pressure and getting his blood gases all messed up. So his walk on Saturday was short and didnt go as well. At one point they thought they were going to have to put him back on the ventilator which would definitely have been a set back. Things leveled out and he dodged that bullet. Sunday and Monday were better but the panic was still there which throws everything off and he seems sooo very "out of it". Today has been more of the same but they have decided to put in a feeding tube. It will help with his healing if he has nourishment again and they just dont feel comfortable that he wont get solids down the wrong pipe and into his lungs. It has to been exhausting for him and we cant possibly know what it all feels like to him. Mom just keeps telling him he has been given an incredible gift and that he just has to work hard and do all the things they are telling him to do to make himself heal faster. Everyone who knows my daddy knows how sweet and easy going he is. What they dont get to see is how stubborn he is! We just need him to get stubborn toward the right things and trust everything that the docs and nurses are telling him to do. Please continue to lift him up in your prayers and dont forget to pray for momma too. It is gut wrenching to see the man you love in pain and afraid he wont be able to breathe. She will have to come back to work soon, those hospital bills wont pay themselves, but she is really hoping she can stay until he is moved to the step down unit. I know how hard it will be to leave him but I told her that she knows that the truth of the matter is that God has him in the palm of his hand and He loves him more than any of us could even imagine. He is in control and we will put our faith and trust in Him to bring health and healing!

November 14, 2013

We received the call that we have been waiting and praying for at 2:00 this morning. What a miracle we have been granted! Everything went beautifully during surgery and we are optimistic about his recovery. Mom just keeps talking about how you can feel the power of God there. That makes so much sense being as all blessings are sent from God above and blessings are happening all the time there. How could we expect anything less!?! I am in Winston for now taking care of granny and grandaddy while Mom and Lisa are standing by waiting for every opportunity to be able to see him. They are taking care of each other and that brings me so much comfort since I cant be there too. Thank you all for your prayers, support and contributions. Words cant express our gratitude. I will keep everyone updated regularly.

Sharon