Morning

This is the first morning in a while that I’ve come in to a report of “he slept an hour at a time.” That is HUGE! In hospital life, there are vitals every hour (temp, blood sugar) and then interruptions for meds, IV switch outs, and more. An hour is the most you can ask for in intermediate ICU. And consecutive hours that were interrupted mostly by J having to relieve himself is a PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE the Lord! Sleep and urine are signs that J’s body is on a forward trend.

The docs came through and I gave them some information about J’s tubes and line and output from yesterday. I wasn’t sure it was important, but said it. Oh My Peanut Butter…I’m so glad I said something! He asked if something happened yesterday that he’d planned on. Nope. So he did that thing (I’m not sharing; it was difficult and painful for J. And it helped! The doc explained why it worked and ordered the mini-procedure 2-3 times daily. (prayer request for it to become a norm and not painful). He can send him home with devices to do it himself.

PRAISE: this one simple mini-procedure and the results earned him ORAL FOOD! The IV nutrition will continue because he needs it. The oral food will be gradual in its dietary complexity. So far this morning, J’s enjoyed a roll and a bowl of cream of wheat (doctored up by his mother who ran to the coffee shop for the right ingredients to make it palatable…and I’d do it again).

The latter part of morning has not been as pleasant. There was changing of dressings and other things that were complicated and frustrating. It was on the tail end of the pain meds. And now, with a new IV line and pain meds, J is sleeping soundly. We have worship music playing.

His overnight nurse did 2 things that were quiet and simple but game changers:

1. she brought J a sleep mask.
2. she told him her story.

Just before the shift ended, she quietly mentioned, “My appendix ruptured, too. I was about 12. I was in this same hospital for 40 days. You will be okay. You will get through it.”

Oh, what a balm to his spirit! He asked questions which she gladly answered. She had such a sweet servant’s heart and when she spoke, it was with a strong sense of encourage, but in a quiet tone. Beautiful! Hallelujah Lord for the gift you brought us through her.

That seems like more than enough for a morning, doesn’t it? And there are still 75 minutes to go!

I titled this entry “trend” not because anything is trending; that’s a social media term. Trend means to change or develop in a general direction.

PRAISE!

…that the general direction is HEALTH and WHOLENESS

for the amazing and encouraging nursing staff here at NYU Langone-Brooklyn (5800 unit). They are a stellar team!

PRAY…for more of the same. Increased sleep, food with not hindrance, and increased strength with mobility.

Afternoon

The afternoon was hard. Very hard. Crushingly hard. My mother’s prayer is that this be rock bottom; dear Jesus, how much lower can the chasm be?

The balm of the day was twofold. First, a visit and prayer from RG. You have NO IDEA how the Lord used you in those few minutes. Thank you doesn’t begin to express… Second, an out loud reading of Job chapter 19.

Evening

It was even harder to leave J that evening, knowing that my plane would be landing in the Midwest in the next 24 hours. When I came out on July 12th, I didn’t expect the hospital would remain his temporary home. Packing is usually not my strong suit, but it was a welcome distraction into which I threw myself wholeheartedly.

I know my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.

Job 19:25

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A Note to the Family