Thursday, November 28, 2014 (early morning)

A DAY OF THANKSGIVING

John's journey has continued for the past two days.  Tuesday was a pretty strong day although sitting in the chair seems uncomfortable and difficult for John.  He did remain off the vent for 7 hours.  The OT and the Speech Therapist came in the afternoon and did a remarkable workout with him.  He sat on the edge of the bed with his right foot planted on the floor as they worked to keep him upright and holding his own head up!  It's amazing the skills and insights they use to prompt his brain to learn to give those commands that will help him find a new center of gravity and balance as well as "fire" muscles to respond.  One exercise was to have him lean forward by himself with arms outstretched to give me an actual hug with nothing between us - oh! the glorious feeling of connection for both of us!  Breathing off vent and all vitals remained good and strong through this period - then he had a good nap. He was tired and put back on vent for the evening and night.  Doctors and therapists were surprised and very happy with the accomplishments.

Then came Wednesday morning - John was extremely tired right from the beginning.  He had a bad night with many interruptions, including an ultra sound which revealed a blood clot in his right arm (probably resulting from the Pic line) so now he is on more blood thinners.  He slept through much of the morning and then got into the chair.  After only 20 minutes he was having breathing difficulties and became diaphoretic with raised blood pressure.  Reclining the chair helped John.  Dr. Aslamy, the nurse and the OT were present and all agreed John "just was not himself today".  Conclusion was that the previous 2 days of hard work had indeed taken their toll again which follows the GBS pattern of up-and-down.  Prescription: bed rest, lots of sleep (which he does readily!), no physical therapies, and no time off the vent for the day.  We may begin a short time off on Thursday.  All of us need to learn more about "pacing" and monitoring during those times John shows no real stress during the workouts and "off vent."

My family celebrated their Thanksgiving Feast at the home of my nephew and his wife, Julia and Brandon Underwood because our "city workers" - firefighters and ambulance driver are working today.  I did attend and enjoyed myself thoroughly.  The food was so delicious and it was a wonderful chance to be with my family. My parents are frail, but they persevere and are in such good spirits. Hayden, (3) and baby Colton (4mos) laughed and sparkled and carried our thanksgiving forward into the future.

My heart is full of thanksgiving, just as it is each day, on this day that is set apart for thanking the Lord.  The struggles have been many - and will continue - but John has beat all the odds so far and is still with us with a clear mind and in body, though weakened, and in his faithfulness in the healing power of Jesus Christ through the work of the Spirit.  Praise the Lord!

My prayer for you today is Paul's prayer for the Philippians:

I thank my God every time I remember you,  constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.  It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me.   (Philippians 1:3-7 NRSV)