October 16, 2008
Hello all, God must want her here for while because she now has a spot of pneumonia in her left lung. The right lung is about the same but because of the new spot he will keep her for two or three more days, do another xray and go from there.
Somehow we have to get her moving around but I'm not sure yet how that will happen as she has been in bed now for about two months and she is very weak. The respitory therepist told her step-mom that the only way to get rid of pneumonia is to get moving otherwise it won't go away.
I'll be talking to the doctor tomorrow to see if there is any therepy or anything that can be done. She had a better day today. She was feeling better and ate pretty good despite the news. Her spirit is still doing well and she seems peaceful.
That's all for now, I will update as always I know more.
Nope Not For A While
Maybe Tomorrow
October 15, 2008
We have some good news and bad news...good news is that her legs had good circulation and no blood clots at this time. More good news is that the CT scan came back okay, she still has pneumonia but no pockets of infection.
Bad news is that doc wanted to keep her here another day because she's not over the pneumonia, she can't seem to cough enough to clear her lungs. So they will do a chest x-ray again tomorrow morning to see if she's improving and we will go from there.
She's also been sleeping quite a bit today and she isn't eating or drinking. I'm hoping when her food comes for lunch she will be ready to eat. If not I may have to get tough and at least get her to drink something.
She doesn't have a fever and her blood sugar is about the same as it has been. Her blood pressure is good and her oxygen saturation levels are great so maybe her body is just fighting the infection and that's why she's so tired.
Either way God is with her holding her hand and he is in complete control. This day is no surprise to him. and so we wait and rely completely upon his sovereign hand. What a great place to be, in the center of his plan for our lives in the center of his hand. We count it all joy and praise him, even when its hard. We have to...its what we believe to be the truth from the word.
Its not a brave front its simple faith and the grace of God.
Check, Check, Check
October 14, 2008
The doctor has been checking her today for blood clots in her legs and abcess places in her lungs. Danni is better and she may come home tomorrow. The ultrasound that they did on her legs came out ok with no problems and we are still waiting on the results of the CT scan.
Other than that she is still resting and eating okay. I will update again when I find out about CT scan results. I'm sure it will be the determining factor as to whether or not she comes home sooner or later.
Thanks again for all the prayers.
A Few More Days
October 13, 2008
Danni isn't recovering as quickly as we thought so the doctor will keep her in the hospital a few more days to watch her closely.
She's resting comfortably and she's sleeping quite a bit but she ate good since I've been here so we praise God for that.
Better Today
October 12, 2008
Danni seems to be better today, her doctor took out all her staples and stitches so that makes her feel better.
She will have a chest x-ray tomorrow to see how she's progressing and possibly come home if things are better. She will still need to be on oxygen when she gets home and will possibly have to do breathing treatments to keep her lungs clean.
Her doctor changed her pain meds to stronger ones and gave her something for her anxiety. She is resting well and hopefully she'll be home soon.
I have gained a lot of rest in the last few days as well so I praise God for that too.
Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers.
A Few Days Here Then Home...
October 11, 2008
Well, for sure Danni has pneumonia...again. She's getting good care here at the hospital and its nice to be closer to home.
Her doctor got her some stronger pain meds and something for her anxiety so she's had some pretty good naps in between visitors and breathing treatments and nurses checking on her. I'm hoping that she'll have a good rest tonight.
Thank you for your prayers. God is good, I praise him!
Pneumonia....maybe?
October 11, 2008
We had another long night, Danni had to go to the hospital (LaGrange) in the ambulance because she wasn't breathing very well. She was also having a lot of pain in her right shoulder and side. Our family doctor was gracious enough to stop by our house and do some evaluating before she went to the hospital and give some orders so that she could avoid the emergency room and be admitted.
We are very grateful for his help and that we had oxygen on site to help her breathe until we decided what to do. The doctor thinks she may have pneumonia again so she is getting breathing treatments every 3 hours and iv antibiotics, we expect that she will be here for a few days.
We're also seeing a lot of anxiety in Danni that seems to have just come on in the last few days. Of course she has been through so much lately that it is understandable but it does seem to be linked with her reasoning which is where the tumor was removed and the cancer is currently.
Hopefully, we can get her something to help with the anxiety. This is the first time I've seen this from her and it just makes me wonder if something else is going on. Please pray for peace for her it's very hard for me to see her upset so easily.
I knew there was a reason the Lord took me to Eph 6 yesterday. I thank him and praise him that he is in control and going before us to make the rough patches smooth and cast those mountains into the sea! Praise his Name!
Coughs, Oxygen and Armor
October 10, 2008
Last night Matt and I got away for a while, we went to Kokomo where I'm from to my Aunt's funeral. My dad's twin brother had lost his very best friend. I felt for him, I can't imagine losing my Matthew. He is truly the best friend I've ever had.
Danni's coughs are still there, I had a nurse come and check her yesterday before we left for the funeral and her oxygen levels were low so the nurse ordered oxygen for her. Her lungs still sounded good but as a precaution she thought it was necessary.
I'm glad she thought that way because I would much rather be safe than sorry. It seems that Danni is sleeping more and more. I'm sure this is all part of the process.
We are still waiting for her surgery wounds to heal before we can move on to other things like chemo and radiation. Honestly the only way to move her at this point is by ambulance so I don't know if chemo and radiation are even an option now.
We are trusting God and waiting on his timing for the miracle we need. Either way there will be a miracle; she will be ushered into the presence of her savior or she will be healed here on earth. We trust God for either and we pray for HIS will like he taught us to pray in Luke 11. We've done all we can do to stand firm and so we will stand just as Ephesians 6 instructs us to do.
We have the belt of truth (the knowledge of the truth of God that he works all things for our good because we love him and that no matter what God has our best interest at heart and he will never leave us or forsake us). Romans 8:28, Deut 31:6, 8, Joshua 1:5.
The breastplate of righteousness (that is the gift of God because of the blood of Jesus we are made right with God). Romans 3:21-26, Romans 5:15-20
Shoes of Peace on our feet (made ready for anything that comes our way because of the peace in our hearts). John 14:27, John 16:33, Romans 8:6, Romans 16:20, Philippians 4:7, Hebrews 12:11
We carry ready for battle the shield of faith (faith that God gives us for our circumstances that no matter what we see our Father is in control!) 2Corinthians 5:7
The helmet of Salvation (surrounds our head and takes captive every thought, we are saved if we have confessed Jesus as Lord and believe he was risen from the dead no ifs, ands or buts about it, it's a done deal! This is our position in Christ, we have the mind of Christ). Romans 10:9, 2Corinthians 10:5, 1Corinthians 2:16, Colossians 3:3
And last but certainly not least we have the sword of the Spirit in our hand (that is the written, inspired word of God that confirms everything I've just said....God said it and it is so!) 2Timothy 3:16, 2Corinthians 1:20
The armor of God is all about what we believe. It is what we believe that causes us to act certain ways in the face of our circumstances either with faith or fear; with patience or pride.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. These are my goals for each day.
Medical Update
October 6, 2008
Danni is still at home in bed. She has some coughing going on so we are watching for pneumonia. But as of yesterday her lungs sounded strong and clear, praise God!
Her blood sugar has been crazy all over the place between 150 and 400. She has a headache every now and then and is weak.
She can still play on her computer and color. She reads and watches movies. Her appetite is still pretty good on and off. She has had some stomach aches and heart burn to deal with but no fevers so that's good.
Other than that I don't see much change in her from day to day, we did increase her steroid again because she had a day where she was sleepy all day and couldn't stay awake, she also had a pretty bad headache.
It just feels like a big waiting game; everyday I wonder what this day will bring but I have faith in God because he is faithful and he won't let us down or leave us forsaken so we trust in him and in that find peace with the circumstances. He is in control! Praise God!
Praises Along the Way--Danni's Spirit
October 4, 2008
I wrote this on a particularly rough day in September. This is a testimony of God's grace and love. I hope you will see her as I do. I was waiting to hear from the Lord when to share this writing and it came to my thoughts today. God has his timing and someone needs to hear what it has to say. So this is for you whoever you are may God's blessings be upon you.
She is currently at home but was in the hospital at this time.
September 9, 2008
It was a pretty rough day for Danni and I, she was so weak it took 2 people to help her stand or move from her bed to the wheelchair or bathroom. I wanted to bring her home. I don’t want her to spend any more time at the hospital than necessary; she needs to be at home with her family. Five o’clock came and I said my goodbyes. “I hate to leave you here but I need to be with Jessi and Atlee too,” I told her. She understood but she wanted me close. It was so hard for me to leave but I didn’t know what else I could do.
The drive home was long; I just kept looking around at all the people in their cars. Some were smoking, most looked stressed out and empty. Some were talking on their phones and others looked ready to blow at the next person who crossed them wrong. I was exhausted by the time I got home, I tried to rest but all I could think of was Danni. I prayed that God would be close to her and that she would be able to feel his presence with her, heavy around her like a thick soft blanket.
I lay on her bed at home wanting to be close to her. I began to think about Danni’s spirit. “People should know Danni’s spirit,” I thought to myself, “people need to know that she is one of the kindest people I have ever known.” People need to see her as I do. So I began to write.
She’s so beautiful, so much love in her eyes. She possesses so much innocence. So deep and rich are her eyes. Silently she suffers, not wanting anyone to suffer with her especially me. She doesn’t want to disappoint me she says. She’s so sorry I have to do the things I do for her. She’s so amazing. Never thinking of herself but always of others.
No trouble should be made for her are her thoughts, I can see it on her face. I know she came to me from heaven. I wish people could see her heart as I do. It’s so big. It’s so big. Nothing compares, there aren’t even words to describe it.
She is so funny. “I’m not much entertainment for you today,” she said to me. “It’s okay, I like the quiet” I said to her. I don’t want her to be anyone but who she is, "No need to entertain, just be you." I tell her.
She’s the kind of friend that you can be with in a quiet room and you don’t feel as if words need to be spoken. Danni cracks me up too when she wants to, she can do it with just a chuckle. I love the way she laughs, so full and deep. She enjoys it.
She has such concern for others less fortunate than her. She’s full of compassion for others.
She can be ornery. She has a playful spirit and quick wit. She never ceases to surprise me with her thoughts. Where does she get this stuff? She’s so clever.
She’s fearless but fears sometimes. She's strong but weak sometimes.
Her hair is gone, her face is full, her body is stretched but her beauty is unmatched! I’ve never seen such beauty in all of my days on this earth! She is such a quiet spirit. Danni is such a gentle spirit. I will miss her deeply if God decides she should be with him but I will understand, she’s so irresistible, so charming and lovable my dear Sharky, my dear Danni.
Jesus, you shine so brightly through her my eyes can hardly bear it. Darkness is all around her and yet she shines, she shines. Oh, if I could only be like her, be like you Jesus I have so far to go. I’m undone with my thoughts today and tears stream down my face as I write this to you.
She’s so brave and she tries very hard, she pushes herself to keep moving even when her strength is almost gone even with great pain in her back. Danni always says thank you no matter what situation she’s in. “Thank you for helping me,” she says. She knows God will heal her, she has no doubt and she eagerly awaits his healing touch upon her. She gets frustrated at times but she turns it over to God. “I guess we’ll just have to trust God,” she says with determination in her voice. I’ve heard her say it more than once.
She has tenacity and endurance unlike I’ve never seen, all supplied by heavenly hands. He created her. He put these qualities in her for such a time as this; he gave her and continues to give her all she needs. He is all she needs, he lives within her.
She said to me when this whole thing started that God told her he would be holding her hand all the way and I’m confident he will keep his promise to her. How sweet it is to know she’s his child and he loves her far more than I ever could, she is in the palm of his hand and that is the safest place for a child of God to be.
Outwardly she’s wasting away but inwardly she’s being renewed day by day. Surely many crowns wait for her. She’s a true over comer. She is a true believer in Jesus. She has the victory. She is made whole. God’s Spirit lives within her and he is what causes her to be Danni.
Thank you, God, for allowing me to take such an honored position in your creation’s life. I am truly humbled, honored and changed forever for the good to have known her. What a journey this has been.
I love you Danni no matter what.
Rosh Hashanah Thoughts and Prayers
September 30, 2008
I’ve been learning a lot about Rosh Hashanah in the last few days. It’s the Jewish New Year but unlike our New Year it’s a time to inspect oneself and a time of repentance. What an appropriate thing to do especially during this time of financial crisis that our nation is in. We are truly a nation under judgment. Today in the Jewish tradition is a Day of Judgment.
The Lord took me to two scriptures this morning, Matthew 25:5 and Jeremiah 14. Matthew 25:5 is the story of the ten virgins verse 5 says, “The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.” This scripture is prophetic and refers to the second coming of Christ, he is the bridegroom and the virgins are the church.
As I thought about Rosh Hashanah and the Day of Judgment I was challenged to ask the Lord to wake me up where I have fallen asleep. I asked him to fill me (my lamp) with oil and forgive all my sins.
Then as I went to Jeremiah 14 and I read how the people were experiencing a severe drought and I thought again about the crisis our nation is enduring at this present time. In a sense, we are also experiencing a severe drought only in finances. In Jeremiah 14 the Lord is pretty ticked off at the people and why? Verse 10 reveals the answer…"This is what the Lord says about this people: “They greatly love to wander; they do not restrain their feet. So the Lord does not accept them; he will now remember their wickedness and punish them for their sins.”
Then God says an amazing thing to Jeremiah in verse 11, he tells Jeremiah “Do not pray for the well being of this people…” Oh my, that’s bad! These were God’s chosen people he was talking about! All because they went their own way and didn’t control where their feet took them!
Another interesting thing happens in verses 13-16 of chapter 14, Jeremiah tells God that the prophets are saying that famine and sword won’t come upon the people and God lets Jeremiah know in no uncertain terms that they are not speaking from him and that God didn’t send them or tell them to say such things.
As I was watching the news today, top economists were saying, “we just have to have this bailout thing happen” and that it would make everything easier. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t know if it’s right or wrong and I don’t feel either way about it because I believe that God has this whole thing planned out and I believe he will have his way, but I’ve also heard them say that it won’t affect the guy on the street and our money is safe if it is federally insured by the FDIC. Are they saying we won’t have to endure famine or have to deal with the sword in some way shape or form? You decide.
These are just interesting things to think about. I don’t know why God brought this to my attention as I was praying today but my inclination is to repent for the sins of our nation and ask God to cleanse me from my own sin. To ask God for mercy and to fill me with his Spirit (oil) to be ready for whatever is coming to our nation.
Wake us up, God! I pray that the Lord will forgive his people for allowing their feet to go their own way, running to idols and sin rather than to God’s open arms of love. Man, I’m guilty! What a crazy thing we do! God forgive me, forgive us Lord!
What shall I Say...
September 24, 2008
Danni is holding her own. She is pretty well bed fast. Sitting up on her own is very painful so she hasn't been out of bed for a while.
Her spirits are good and she's hanging in there. Good thing for her laptop and cell phone, they are her contact with the outside world. She likes to play her zoo game, she designs zoos and tries to keep all the people and animals happy.
Some time ago a man came to the door with pillows that match the chair that a local business owner made for her and I just wanted to thank him for those, they are the perfect size and shape to put behind her back when she needs to lay on one side or the other. Another one of God's provisions for her to keep her comfortable.
Her blood sugars are still between 200 and 300 most days which is still high but I got the neurosurgeon to lower her dosage of steroids so we will see if that helps.
Other than that she is resting comfortably.
Praises Along the Way--Special Delivery
September 20, 2008
Glory be to God she's home! She came as a special delivery from the Parkview Noble Ambulance crew. She's feeling much better and we are so glad to have her home again after such a long night and day.
When she got home we put her in wheely to get her back to bed but she said she wanted to stay in the chair and color at the table. Yea!
I'm so proud of how she handled herself this go round, she made medical decisions for herself and was brave enough to come home from Ft Wayne in the ambulance all by herself! What a trooper! We had gone home this morning to get some rest and prepare to have her home.
I want to acknowledge God in these set of circumstances because he was the one who clearly orchestrated this whole trip and let me assure you he took excellent care of Danni!
Matthew 6:25-34 says, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly father feeds them.
Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lillies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For after all these things the Gentiles seek.
For your heavenly Father knows you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (NKJ version)
God can handle things without my help, his provision is seamless and he's proved that to me this weekend. His provision is perfect and more beautiful than all the flowers of the field! All Glory to God! Thank you for your provision in our life. You go before us and hem us in behind and make the way smooth for us casting every mountain into the sea. Praise your Name!
Done........Already?
September 20, 2008 6:40am
Matt and I fell asleep in surgical waiting. The doctor shook my knee and woke me with a start. She's done and already is feeling better. They moved her to recovery for an hour and then to a room. She can eat after 9am and if she feels okay doc will let her go home today.
What a good decision she made to come to the hospital last night. I'm proud of her! She was doing a great job taking care of herself, telling us we need to go to the ER, by ambulance and telling the doctors and nurses that she was in need of pain meds.
She even said we could go home and get some sleep before she had talked to the doctor in Kendallville! I said, "I don't think so but thanks!" No way mama bear would leave her there alone! Thank you, thank you, thank you Jesus!
The Long Night
September 20, 2008 6am
We took Danni to the emergency room in Kendallville via ambulance because she was having pain in her kidney. We thought that maybe she was having another kidney stone. Tests confirmed that she had a 7mm size kidney stone stuck in the tube coming from her kidney.
So her urologist "just happened" to be on call and he instructed the ER doctor in Kendallville to send her on to Parkview Main. So by ambulance she was transported to Ft. Wayne and the urologist came in to see her in the ER there around 3:30am.
She went into surgery at 6 am this morning to have a stint put into the tube so that it could drain until she has this "sonic boom" procedure to break the stone into sand sized bits then when everything is clear the stint will come out. Three separate hospital visits. We have to put the stint in first, then we set up a time to come back and do the the boom thing. I hope this makes sense, we've been up all night.
Anyways, she's anemic and her platelets are down to 62000 which is low so those issues will have to be dealt with before the boom thing. Soooo, the good news is that maybe she will come home today. God is looking out for us. He's faithful! I'll write more as we know more.
Much love to you all in Christ.
Danni's Resting
September 18, 2008
This morning is a sleepy morning. Danni hasn't been feeling well today. Her back hurts up near her shoulders and she was nauseated today so she's been sleeping quite a bit. I'm in her room sitting in my chair listening to her deep breathing. She's sleeping pretty good.
Yesterday was a struggle as she had a bed malfunction in the night and "it tried to eat me!" she said. So we had to have the bed people out to replace it and she had to be in a wheel chair for quite some time waiting. She did a lot of sliding back and forth on her transfer board from the bed to the wheelchair then back again so maybe that's why she's sore today.
She's still very weak and has only stood with help one time since coming home from the hospital. She's not very happy when she has to get out of bed because she says it's too much work but I've been trying to encourage her to move around.
Her sugar has been consistently over 200 for the last few days, it doesn't seem like the insulin is working very well. She's up to 120 units a day hopefully we can get it under control soon.
Every day I wake up thinking, will this be the day when God heals her? I will wait patiently for him to move. We need a miracle!
I'm supposed to get out of the house today, her grandma is coming to sit with her but I may not leave if she's not feeling better. "You need to go," she says to me but I would probably be wondering about her all day. She never thinks of herself. She's always concerned about me or the other family members.
Thanks for your continued prayers.
Praises Along the Way-- Fear on the Run!
September 15, 2008
The Lord has been teaching me about the effects of love on fear for some time. I don’t know about you but fear is something I have to deal with everyday. “Do not fear” God says to us over and over in the Word. As I was thinking about this subject several scriptures came to mind.
The first one was 1John 4:13-19 “We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the Day of Judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love.
But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.”
Wow what a loaded scripture… I acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God, therefore God lives in me and I don’t have to fear the Day of Judgment because, the word says, in this world we are like him.
He’s saying to us really the only thing we should fear is facing judgment day without acknowledging that Jesus is the Son of God. Fear and punishment go hand in hand.
If I acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God, the word says that God who is love lives in me and I in him and there truly is nothing to fear. If God is for us who can be against us?
Then I thought that if perfect love drives out all fear what or who is love? The scripture above tells us God is Love. But what is love? 1Cor. 13 came to my mind so I went there to see what the word says about love.
1Cor 13:4-8 says, “ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.
LOVE NEVER FAILS…”
There were several things God showed me about this scripture that I had never seen before such as, “Love is patient, love is kind.” Right there it tells you exactly what love is, the rest of the scriptures tells you what love does not do and what it always does but these first few words say exactly what love is.
So I doubt we can “love” cheesecake as I have said before because according to the truth of the word love is a commitment word. A commitment to be patient and kind to another person. Love is an action. I think that I lust after cheesecake would be a better phrase to use. Ew, that’s ugly when you actually think about what you are saying.
Love is relational. The next time you tell someone you love them, think of it as you are saying to them that you are committing yourself to be patient and kind with them all the time. Wow that puts things into perspective!
The other thing I realized is that this is who God is; these are the ways he always responds in regard to us. God is patient, he is kind, and he doesn’t envy or boast. He is not proud or rude or self-seeking or easily angered and he keeps no record of wrongs. God doesn't delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. God always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. GOD NEVER FAILS!
If I want to know more about him this scripture is very informative. I’m sure there are a thousand and one things in this scripture that I have just missed but so far this is what he’s shown me. Now, back to the perfect love casts out all fear thing. When I am tempted to fear, what if I was patient and kind in the face of that temptation? Would it go away? Would I be able to stand my ground?
Strange as it seems it works! When the temptation to fear came I was patient through the testing and remained kind to those around me, it worked! Don’t get me wrong, I’m in no way saying I’ve arrived or that I’ve perfected this art but it is very interesting food for thought and it certainly has changed the way I will use the word “love” in the future.
God has been teaching me about love with Danni. There are so many things as a caregiver that is pure acts of love. I thought I knew what love was but I didn’t. Through this experience I am learning the act of love; the giving of me to another person like Jesus did and continues to do. I’m learning to be more like him. As a mother I guess I did these things all along but I never connected it with the word as I have through these waters.
I don’t get it all right but there is not condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1) because walking after the Spirit is a learning process.
I’m grateful, Lord, for all you are teaching me and those around me during this time of trial and tribulation. Thank you for your love for me no matter what. Thank you for your great patience with me as I toddle through your precepts learning them as a child learns to walk on their own. I love you Lord, I commit to be patient and kind to you and treat you as you treat me as you lead me through this land. In the fullness of Jesus name I pray these things. Amen.
What thoughts, scriptures and experiences come to mind as you have read this? Please share so that we can all be edified!
A Day of Rest
September 13, 2008
Today we are having a day of rest. Go no where! Do nothing! It's been wonderful. Everyone needs days like these. Danni has been resting today as well.
Her sugar is coming down so thanks for all the prayers, but I can sure tell when the insulin wears off it goes back up again. But at least it's controlling it.
Please pray for healing for her skin and incisions, she hasn't been able to get up as much as last time because of being weak. But she's still working on her leg and arm exercises.
Back Home Again
September 11, 2008
Actually, she came home yesterday but it took the rest of the afternoon to get our checkbook in order, do some work for the township, get her med schedule organized, and a thousand other things.
It is soooooo gooooood to have her home. Today I got to get out for a while and her grandmother took care of her. It was wonderful to do something that didn't involve a hospital!
She's resting and working on her leg and arm strengthening exercises. She's slowly healing and we are trying to get her blood sugar under control. This afternoon she was up to 371! Normal range for her should be 80 to 140. She's getting 100 units of insulin a day up from 80 units. I know diabetics that get 40 units a day. I hope this turns around soon.
It seems we are almost in the swing of things again. Our biggest challenges have been transferring her from one place to another, learning new moving techniques so as to save our backs and of course getting her blood sugar under control.
Even Jessi and Atlee have been helping me position her in bed and run here and there for this or that. It's truly going to take teamwork on all our parts. I think its very good for us to work together. The kids are learning all kinds of wonderful life lessons.
Praises Along the Way--Fun Online
September 8, 2008
Last night Danni and I and her grandmother in Florida had a great time online on instant messaging. Technology is so great! Danni's new laptop has a web cam and so does mine so we could see each other and talk to each other through the Internet.
We giggled and sent crazy pictures and drawings to each other then we played games and put a puzzle together all online. What a comfort to me to actually see her from home as she was in her room at the hospital and know she was well and having some fun.
It was wonderful to tell her goodnight and kiss the web cam and see her reaction....... hilarious!
"Ew" she said!
I praise God for the gifts he's given us to make all this more bearable. He has blessed us abundantly!
Danni is weak and healing very slowly but her incisions look good and hopefully she will be able to come home tomorrow. She has to stay here one more day because she has another days worth of iv antibiotics. Thanks again for all your prayers and thoughts for us.
Praises Along the Way--Lord over the Flood
September 6, 2008
Last evening Matt's mom went to the hospital with back pain and she came home yesterday with an appointment for a specialist. Last night Matt's dad went to the hospital with pneumonia. Last night Danni had a more serious surgery than we expected. We would have never guessed that she would get a new shunt. (I'm referring to my last blog).
How crazy our life has gotten. In some ways I can relate to the hurricane people who also have to deal with flood waters, just a different kind. Everyone goes through floods in life that attempt to drown them be it spiritual, physical, mental or emotional. Most times all of those things are involved because you can't separate them, they are all rolled into one.
I was reading a scripture on a web site I check every day and I was encouraged by the scripture they had posted. I read it every day because it seems that the scripture always speaks directly to my circumstances. Today it was Psalm 29:10-The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as King forever.
What an awesome promise. I know the Lord has led me to this scripture before but it was good for me to read it again and with the circumstances we've been through in the last 2 or 3 days I'd say it was very appropriate. I love how God gives you what you need when you need it.
What a comfort to know that no matter what happens He is still in control. I give him thanks and praise and once again I put my trust in him.
Thank God!!! He is in control!!!
More than Expected
September 5, 2008
Well, they put a new shunt in. Yeah, we were surprised too. But I'm glad the doctor was extra careful. They put the end of the new shunt back in her belly through a very small incision in her belly button.
They said where the doctor took out the end of the shunt last week hadn't even begun to heal. The steroids and her blood sugar are the big issues again. But she has a great team of doctors giving their all. We're very grateful for their loving care.
Thanks for all your love and prayers as well.
Back to the Table
September 5, 2008
Danni just went into surgery, her doctors both had emergencies that they had to take care of so Danni had to wait. It's about 4pm now.
The plan is to put the end of the shunt elsewhere in her belly but they are also prepared to put it into a vein as well. I hope they don't have to do that but she doesn't have many options.
The surgery should take about and hour or so. I'll let you know.
So Far So Good!
September 5, 2008
Yea! Her platelets are up over the safe mark and the surgery is scheduled for sometime around 2 today. It will be good to get rid of the external drain thing!
I'll keep you all up to date.
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