Dad: post-op day 2

Dad did pretty well yesterday. He had two sessions with the people he now refers to as the physical "terrorists" (therapists). He is slowly (much slower than he would like) making progress. This was a major surgery and the recovery is far from easy for anyone, let alone a 74 yr old with other health issues. No timeline has been set for his release; the word "rehab" was used as in he may go there before going home. It all depends on how he progresses. Please pray for endurance and grace and wisdom for the medical staff, and that they would be willing to see outside their protocol that Dad does not fit into! He has been able to sleep fairly well so far, as has Mom. We have much to be thankful for. Thanks for praying with us!

Dad update: post-op day 1

Thank you for your prayers. After an "ok" night, Dad was moved to a step-down unit today and the focus and challenge has been pain management. While Dad is still in pain, he has been comfortable enough to sleep most of the afternoon, for which we are thankful. 

The PT folks came and got Dad up and walking. The lactic acid in the muscles adds to the pain factor. He is back on a little oxygen after his little walk, but the medical staff says that he is doing well and everything like the incision and the drain there looks good. 

Mom has often said the second day (24-48 hours) after surgery is the hardest, and at least for us, that has usually been the case. Lord-willing, Dad will be able to sleep through more of this difficult period. We are very thankful that he is heading in the right direction, and appreciate everyone's prayers. Please continue to pray for good pain management, and rest for both Mom and Dad.

Thanks!

Dad's Surgery

Dad is now getting settled in his ICU room. The surgeon said the surgery went well. Apparently there was a lot of instability in Dad's back before the fusion, and Dr. S was able to fix that with the rods. Currently, Dad is in considerable pain, but the medical staff is working on that. Please pray for a measure of pain relief for Dad and rest for both he and Mom tonight. We are thankful the surgery went well and that Dad came out of anesthesia OK. Thanks!

Please pray for Dad and his surgery

Hi. Sorry I've been absent so long from here. Studying/working 50-65 hours/week for three months straight has occupied all my time.

First, let me back up and share a huge answer to prayer. The low back surgery my Dad really needs to try to get some relief from the constant pain he lives with was denied coverage by insurance when they ran the pre-approval. Then it was also denied when the first round of appeal went through. We had lots of people praying that The Lord would lead and provide wisdom (even if that meant not having surgery and exploring other long term pain management options). This past Tuesday, only a couple weeks after the initial claim was filed, the insurance approved the surgery! We are so thankful and are taking this reversal and quick processing as an indication that The Lord would have Dad continue forward with surgery.

So this Tuesday, the 8th, he will have two discs fused, the two lowest ones in the back. After surgery he will not be able to sit for more than 20 minutes at a time, and other various restrictions, but that is the biggest one. Please pray that The Lord would guide the surgeon, Dr. S's hands, that Dad would come thru the surgery with no unintended side effects and, if the Lord wills, that this would provide Dad some pain relief. Low back surgeries are somewhat controversial in the medical field due to their mediocre success rate, but Dad's surgeon (who did Dads neck fusion last year) thinks he can give Dad relief.

Thanks for praying with us!

Sisterly Love

My SIL posted this to Facebook and it is so precious that I just had to share.  She said "K thought her baby sister needed a sticker this morning.  I haven't had the heart yet to take it off".

Isn't that just the best?  I love that she is sharing, that she is thinking outside of 2 yr old self (if even for a moment).  Next up: being OK with Mommy holding another baby (currently really NOT OK with that!!)  :)

I'm expecting another n_______

_iece!

This little pistol is getting a baby sister!  :)

I love my brothers very much, but I always wanted a sister, so I am excited that K gets one.  Baby girl is healthy (which is the most important thing) and she is due to arrive July 6, one day before her Aunt Sarah's birthday. :)  Praise be to the Lord!

“You created every part of me; You put me together in my mother's womb.  I praise You because you are to be feared; all You do is strange and wonderful.  I know it with all my heart.  When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother's womb, when I was growing there in secret,  You knew that I was there—You saw me before I was born.  The days allotted to me had all been recorded in Your book, before any of them ever began.”—Psalm 139:13-16 GNT

Comforting words

"I look to the mountains;where will my help come from? 2My help will come from the LORD,who made heaven and earth. 3He will not let you fall;your protector is always awake. 4The protector of Israelnever dozes or sleeps.5The LORD will guard you;he is by your side to protect you.6The sun will not hurt you during the day,nor the moon during the night. 7The LORD will protect you from all danger;he will keep you safe.8He will protect you as you come and gonow and forever."--Psalms 121:-8 (GNT)

This has always been a favorite Psalm. It's been a hard week. I had steroid injections in my hips for bursitis on Tuesday and haven't been in that much pain, or felt so physically alone, in my recent memory.

Today, my Dad undergoes a very painful test to determine which areas of his back need to be fused. They put him to sleep, put the needle in, wake him up, then keep poking to find the worst spots. Yeah, ouch.

Right now I'm up way too early to try to study this overwhelming material for a credentialing exam, feeling and being now even more behind after having had last week held hostage by the flu.

So, these words are so comforting. Nothing will happen today, the day whenever Dad finally has his surgery, April 12 (day of my exam), or any other day that will catch my Lord my surprise. He's got this, and he's got me. As they say down here in Dallas, I reckon that's all I need to know!