Answers!

Mom is going to update later, but I wanted to just drop a line on here and let you all know how good God is and how much we appreciate your prayers. Grams is feeling much better (infection is under control) and much, much more encouraged. Even though this past week was hard and full of battles, I think God has already used it to remind us that He is in control and that He has great plans for us. And He has used it to help bring us deeper in our trust and in our willingness to be used. Grams herself expressed that if God can use her in her condition, well then, there you have it. We have a God of encouragement and of hope, and we were really able to claim those promises this week.

Not only is Grams feeling better, but her breathing is becoming stronger. She is no longer dependent on any additional oxygen, and the family has been given permission to take her outside on their own so that she can enjoy spring. We have decided to really go to battle on a few specific things--of course we are still praying for complete healing, but please join us in focusing on these issues when you pray for Grams:

We are praying for:
* constant encouragement and peace;
* successful removal of the trach tube and strong lungs;
* Grams to have the ability to use her hands;
* Grams to ultimately be able to go home to her own home.

Prayer needed!

We are asking today to really lift Grams up in your prayers. We feel acutely the battle we are in--against sickness, against discouragement, and against the enemy--and we know that God is more powerful than all of those. Grams is currently in rehab, but over the past week has developed a severe urinary tract infection which has made her miserable and discouraged. She has been having difficulty breathing, likely a result of the infection but the doctors are unable to determine that anything is causing it.

We ask you to pray for:
--Grams to be encouraged. Please ask God to give her hope and a smile and encouragement to continue working to get better;
--healing from her infection and that she will feel much better very quickly;
--healing of her lungs and spinal cord.

I've been unable to get on here the past couple times I tried, so I apologize for the delay in updates. Grandma's surgery went well and her throat is clear. She is not off the trach tube yet, but we are still hoping and praying that her breathing will keep getting stronger and stronger. During her stay in the hospital one of the challenges we've faced is the constant rotation of doctors and nurses, and the myriad of opinions each has about how she is doing and what the best course of care is. Two doctors ago he was ready to take the trach tube right out, but her last doctor doesn't think she's anywhere near strong enough. Please pray for patience on our side and wisdom on theirs.

On Tuesday Grandma went into rehab, which is exciting and a little unknown as well. She wasn't feeling well yesterday, so you can pray for her to feel better and for her arm to stop hurting (as mentioned in the last entry). Also, while she's in rehab please pray for encouragement, energy, and strength for her, and that the doctors will approach her rehabilitation with the idea that she can go far.

Yesterday I got to chat with her a bit, which is perhaps my favorite improvement. In rehab my mom is able to take the speaking tube on and off, so it is much easier for her to talk and eat when she wants to. These are good things. Let's continue praying for miracles and for God to be close to us as we wait.