Today's prayer list

I will be quick, though it has been too long since the last update. Grams has been doing really well, though we have had a couple interesting new developments. Last week the doctors gave Grams one last looking-over before possibly taking the trach tube out, and they discovered that she has a blockage above the trach that is making it difficult for her to eat or breathe on the speaking valve (which allows air to go through her vocal cords and food down her throat). She has been telling them for weeks that there was something there, and we are so glad they caught it before taking out the tube! Right now she is in surgery to remove the blockage, so please pray for wisdom, sucessful surgery, and easy recovery.

Also, she has recently begun having sharp pains in her left arm. They know that her nerves are acting up to cause this, but they do not yet know whether it is bad (more damage) or good (nerves starting to fire up again). Please pray that God is working out good things and for the pain to go away.

Lastly, please pray for encouragement for Grams, Gramps, my parents, and other family who are going on their 4th month at St. Al's. Your support is so good.

missy

MOVING DAY!

On Saturday, Grams got out of the ICU! What a huge and exciting day! She has been moved into a regular hospital room for a few days (phone calls from Missy!), and when they think she is ready they will move her into rehab. Praise God!

It sounds all glorious to finally get out of the ICU, but you can imagine that some anxiety and concern might go along with such a big change, and Grams has had a hard time adjusting to the idea. It is still very hard work to be on the speaking valve, and she doesn't like it, and we really need to keep praying for her, that God will protect her emotions from depression and anxiety and give her peace. And also that He will continue to fire up her drive to improve. She has come so far, and He has done so much--let's keep praying!

I'll get pictures on here soon.
missy

And 81 begins with...

...breathing!

If that was someone cryptic, I'll explain. Grams turned 81 on March 7, and since that day she has been breathing without the ventilator. That is going on three days breathing pretty much on her own! She has also been going longer and longer on the speaking valve. It is still not very comfortable, but it isn't nearly as hard as it was even earlier this week. Praise God!

Oops! This was supposed to post March 6

We've been a bit discouraged with inconsistencies in Grandma's care lately, but it has served to get many things cleared up and coordinated so that her progress can continue. In a nutshell, we recently discovered that Grams hasn't been using the speaking valve for about two weeks (she can talk and eat while on the speaking valve). So while she has been spending more and more time off the ventilator, she has been losing the muscles she built up while on the speaking valve.

After a couple of conferences with her doctors and therapists, they have put her back on the speaking valve three times a day and are working there way back up to where she was. In addition, they are continuing to increase the time she is off the ventilator (about 20 hours today, I think). This is all really hard work for her, but she is doing great and is encouraged.
Grams' birthday is tomorrow (March 7), and her wish is to get OUT of the ICU! Let's pray that that happens soon-soon-soon!


We are praying for:
* consistent care and wisdom for doctors, nurses, and therapists;
* encouragement for Grams;
* encouragement and peace for Gramps;
* accelerated healing of her lungs;
* healing for her spinal cord so that she can move her hands better and her feet at all.

missy