Hu's Journey Continues

About a month ago, Hu entered the hospital with ongoing complications such as he has been dealing with over the last few years of his journey.  After approximately two and a half weeks of treatment, the doctors determined that they had done all they could to help make him better, and that his condition was unlikely to improve.  On April 17, 2019, Hu was released from the hospital and entered into hospice care at home.  Yesterday, Hu was admitted into a hospice house as his condition took a turn.  In the early hours this morning, April 27, 2019, Jesus called Hu home to heaven.  While we are saddened by his departure from this earth, we also celebrate that Hu has now arrived at the final destination in his journey.  Hu is now rejoicing with his Savior in heaven for all of eternity.  What an amazing hope we have as believers!

Details of Hu's memorial service will be posted on this blog in the near future.

In Him,
The Harrill Family

God is good!...All the time!  He "gives and takes away" and in everything His name is blessed forever.  Thanks to all who have so faithfully prayed for me during these past weeks as I experienced some of the brokenness of this broken world.  It has been a reminder that I am not in control and that my priorities often need to be reset.  It has also been a good reminder that these bodies of ours are not equipped to handle eternity.  That is why the resurrection of Jesus is so important to believe and understand.  As the Apostle Paul wrote, if in this life only we have hope in Jesus, we are to be pitied above all others.  But because He rose, we who believe in Him will also be raised from the dead when Jesus returns. 

Today, I was released from rehab and am now home -- still rather weak and short on breath but encouraged by so many of you who continue to keep my name before the Lord.  Please give thanks to Him for His answers to your prayers on my behalf and His mercies that I see daily. "Great is His faithfulness." -- Hu

Endurance

It is a great encouragement to our family that you and others have been following these posts about Hu.  We do appreciate your faithfulness in praying.  The work has been harder in rehab this week because the time has been increased to two one hour sessions each day.  Hu does what he can but under his "normal" health conditions that would have been a stretch and now since his recent illness he finds it much more difficult.   Although he is exhausted after each session his endurance is being increased. We are thankful that the Lord allowed him to be in a facility with excellent therapists and thankful for their patience and expertise..

The Sparkle

Hu seems to be feeling a bit better.  I have seen a sparkle in his eyes again the last couple of days.  His therapist has set the bar high for his walking endurance.  Although he tires very easily he walks in addition to his therapy sessions to help him meet the goal set for him.  Your prayers for Hu and our family continue to sustain us.

Therapy

Monday, Hu was transferred to rehab. Each day he is improving somewhat and getting stronger. Our first afternoon/ evening was a bit rocky at the facility as things promised did not happen. However Hu had a reasonably good night for which we were both thankful. And since that first night, things have improved and therapy has been going well. We are thankful for the therapy; it is the focus of our stay here. Please keep him in your prayers as he continues this new phase of his treatment. I will post as I'm able but please bear with me, I may not be able to post every day.

Challenges

One advantage of posting on the blog is that friends following the original posts from years past are now getting notifications that there is new activity, and they have been praying for Hu without the full story of his illness. In order for them to have a better understanding I am writing this overview of the past nine days.

On February 14 Hu awakened with an elevated heart rate. Since he has a history of atrial fibrillation, we went to the ER for evaluation. He was admitted for further observation.  During the next few days his condition worsened and he was transferred to the ICU.  Because he had fluid on his lungs and pneumonia the doctor felt it would be best to intubate him and sedate him enough to allow his body to rest while his lungs healed.  He made good progress and was released to a regular unit within a few days.  We are thankful that when he left ICU his supplemental oxygen was disconnected.

Hu  has again experienced some challenges.  His white blood count is elevated, and the doctor is trying to determine the cause.  Although he is weak he tries to assist in the healing process by exercising.  Hu had just taken a walk around his room with David and the physical therapist came by for a therapy session.  He is a trooper and didn't say "no" and walked down the hall with her as well. We are grateful that his strength is slowly returning.

We appreciate your ongoing prayers for our family and especially Hu. 

Little by little

Yesterday Hu was told that he would have most of his IV's and tubes removed.  Soon after there was a visit from the physical therapist to help him stand up and take a few steps after a week in bed.  Although quite weak he was glad to be able to be free of the tubes which prevented him from moving around. He was later transferred to the Cardiac Floor where he will stay until being moved to rehab.  We are so thankful for your prayers that have encouraged him so much.