Becky and I had the opportunity this week to be filmed for a testimony shown as part of the worship service this last week. We had a great time filming and Mark P basically just turned on the camera and let us talk (we gave really long answers).
We thought you might enjoy this - it's also out there on YouTube.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
One Month Down
It was a month ago that Dad has his accident. A lot has happened in the last few days. When they did surgery last week to repair his pelvis from where he ripped his pin out, they anticipated Dad having to spend the next 6 weeks flat on his back.
Mom and Patti had been looking for a rehab place during that time, but it's hard to accept a patient in rehab, when there's not much you can rehab them to do since they are lying flat on their back.
Yesterday, after numerous consultations, the doctor decided to remove the pins - and did so immediately in Dad's room. Today, they had Dad sitting up on the edge of his bed. Their goal is to get him to sitting in a wheelchair. They have also removed the neck brace he has been wearing. I think Dad feels free for the first time in weeks. As long as he doesn't put any weight on his feet, he should be fine in a wheelchair as he recovers - and they should be able to get him in a rehab facility.
Dad still has a long way to go, but it's great to see progress. Please continue to keep Dad and Mom in your prayers.
Mom and Patti had been looking for a rehab place during that time, but it's hard to accept a patient in rehab, when there's not much you can rehab them to do since they are lying flat on their back.
Yesterday, after numerous consultations, the doctor decided to remove the pins - and did so immediately in Dad's room. Today, they had Dad sitting up on the edge of his bed. Their goal is to get him to sitting in a wheelchair. They have also removed the neck brace he has been wearing. I think Dad feels free for the first time in weeks. As long as he doesn't put any weight on his feet, he should be fine in a wheelchair as he recovers - and they should be able to get him in a rehab facility.
Dad still has a long way to go, but it's great to see progress. Please continue to keep Dad and Mom in your prayers.
Peace
People constantly ask Becky and I how we maintain through all of this. Between therapy visits 4 times a week, doctor's visits (some time several in a week), sleepless nights, threat of infections, and the list goes on.
I honestly know it's the peace that passes understanding and the incredible grace of God, but I am finding that a hard concept to explain to people. They either think I'm crazy or not lucid from the lack of sleep. But I do serve a God who does crazy things like tumbling down walls, dividing seas, raising dead people, making donkey's talk. So, I have some adversity - who am I to question God's plan?
I just know that when all else around me seems to be falling apart, I am at peace (and a little tired). And peace is such a better place to be than worried, sick, scared, fearful.
May you be in Peace today
I honestly know it's the peace that passes understanding and the incredible grace of God, but I am finding that a hard concept to explain to people. They either think I'm crazy or not lucid from the lack of sleep. But I do serve a God who does crazy things like tumbling down walls, dividing seas, raising dead people, making donkey's talk. So, I have some adversity - who am I to question God's plan?
I just know that when all else around me seems to be falling apart, I am at peace (and a little tired). And peace is such a better place to be than worried, sick, scared, fearful.
May you be in Peace today
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Withdrawals
Something's up with Titus - and it looks like he's still withdrawing from pain meds and the methadone.
He started running a slight fever yesterday. Becky took him to the doctor just to be sure and they sent her to the Lab to draw blood. They weren't successful drawing blood (Becky gives them two tries and then that's it). When we got home, he was just jittery and would not fall to sleep. He didn't sleep at all last night - I got up every hour to check on him. He was still and quiet, but his head and eyes were just roaming.
We were anxiously awaiting Lisa (our daytime nurse) to arrive. From her observation (and she has been a special needs pediatric nurse for years - and we love her dearly), she thought he might still be withdrawing. So, they took a trip back to the doctors, talked with the PICU staff and have prescribed a remedy. Poor little guy - he's just jittery and needs to sleep.
So, your prayers today would be appreciated.
He started running a slight fever yesterday. Becky took him to the doctor just to be sure and they sent her to the Lab to draw blood. They weren't successful drawing blood (Becky gives them two tries and then that's it). When we got home, he was just jittery and would not fall to sleep. He didn't sleep at all last night - I got up every hour to check on him. He was still and quiet, but his head and eyes were just roaming.
We were anxiously awaiting Lisa (our daytime nurse) to arrive. From her observation (and she has been a special needs pediatric nurse for years - and we love her dearly), she thought he might still be withdrawing. So, they took a trip back to the doctors, talked with the PICU staff and have prescribed a remedy. Poor little guy - he's just jittery and needs to sleep.
So, your prayers today would be appreciated.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Going Home
I just got off the phone with Becky and Titus is free to go home. Thank you Lord!
And, I just got off the phone with Mom. Due to the surgery this week to correct the damage Dad did when he pulled his pins out, they had to re-attach the pin to a different bone. This is what is holding his pelvis together so the bones will heal. Dad had been in a back brace to also assist the fractures in his spine. But, since they have moved where the pin is located, they are not able to re-configure the back brace for dad.
Bottom Line is . . . Dad will have to stay flat on his back for the next 6 weeks. And more than likely, will be at a rehab center attached to Parkland (It may be in Zale-Lipshy, but I'm not certain yet.) Dad has been very awake, alert, and lucid and understands and agrees the best thing for him is to stay right there. While this isn't the news they were expecting to hear today, please pray for Mom and Dad while they make these decisions. 6 weeks can go by very slowly when you are flat on your back.
And, I just got off the phone with Mom. Due to the surgery this week to correct the damage Dad did when he pulled his pins out, they had to re-attach the pin to a different bone. This is what is holding his pelvis together so the bones will heal. Dad had been in a back brace to also assist the fractures in his spine. But, since they have moved where the pin is located, they are not able to re-configure the back brace for dad.
Bottom Line is . . . Dad will have to stay flat on his back for the next 6 weeks. And more than likely, will be at a rehab center attached to Parkland (It may be in Zale-Lipshy, but I'm not certain yet.) Dad has been very awake, alert, and lucid and understands and agrees the best thing for him is to stay right there. While this isn't the news they were expecting to hear today, please pray for Mom and Dad while they make these decisions. 6 weeks can go by very slowly when you are flat on your back.
Waiting on the Dr
Becky and Titus are still waiting on the doctor to release them. The radiologist has supplied his report on the X-Ray, so we are just waiting on the Dr. Gelfand, pulmonologist, to review and release.
So, hopefully soon, but we are so waiting to get him home.
Will update as soon as I know.
So, hopefully soon, but we are so waiting to get him home.
Will update as soon as I know.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Out of PICU
This morning, the doctor told me to pack our bags. I asked her to "go home" or "go to the Peds Floor". She wasn't sure yet, and for awhile there, it looked like we might go home.
But, after a few more consultations, it was determined to be "better safe than sorry" and keep Titus one more day in the hospital. So, we moved to the 6th floor of Medical City - the Pediatric Floor. If all goes well, he should go home tomorrow, but they will make that decision on Monday morning.
Titus had a good night - he fell asleep yesterday around 1pm, woke for about an hour at 6pm, then went back to sleep and slept till 9am Sunday morning. He needed his sleep. And, they didn't have to give him any methadone or adavant during the time. He's been pretty happy all day.
Becky and I and the boys so appreciate your prayers over the last 2 weeks for Titus. And, I pray that tomorrow, my post will show pics of Titus back at home with the boys.
But, after a few more consultations, it was determined to be "better safe than sorry" and keep Titus one more day in the hospital. So, we moved to the 6th floor of Medical City - the Pediatric Floor. If all goes well, he should go home tomorrow, but they will make that decision on Monday morning.
Titus had a good night - he fell asleep yesterday around 1pm, woke for about an hour at 6pm, then went back to sleep and slept till 9am Sunday morning. He needed his sleep. And, they didn't have to give him any methadone or adavant during the time. He's been pretty happy all day.
Becky and I and the boys so appreciate your prayers over the last 2 weeks for Titus. And, I pray that tomorrow, my post will show pics of Titus back at home with the boys.
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