One Tough Guy

Today they lightened Dad's sedation, and I had to use some of my big-boy strength to keep him from pulling at his breathing tube.  We are thankful that after being medically paralyzed for 4 days his muscles are still strong.  He continues to improve, slowly in baby steps.  They have been able to eliminate some of the blood pressure, sedation, and pain medications.  Tomorrow, we are going to see how he will do off the inhaled nitric oxide, and maybe he will get placed on a style of ventilation that mimics the way you and I breathe.  His status is still very guarded, but he continues to move towards a recovery.

At 7:30pm we were blessed by others as we gathered and prayed for Dad in the surgical waiting room.  We were surprised to see a long-time-no-see friend show up.  He had flown in from Detroit this evening just to pray with us.  Thank you to those who prayed with us during that time all around the world.

David mentioned previously that last Friday evening Dad's oxygen level was dangerously low for an extended amount of time.  As a result, we do not know if he suffered any brain injury.  We were thrilled to see that he was following commands and moving his arms and legs with purpose today.  He was correctly answering questions with a nod or shake of his head, even when I asked him a trick question!  After the "20 questions" were done, he drifted off to sleep.  A few minutes later, he opened his eyes and scanned the room.  His eyes fell on me, and he gave me a casual wave as if to say “howdy.”  Even from the ICU bed with a ventilator and 12 IV bags hanging next to him, he was trying to reassure me.  I never would have thought that I would be learning something new about my dad while he was unable to speak or breathe for himself, but today I got a taste of his “farm boy” toughness.

I have always known my dad as a quiet and gentle spirit who trusts God and leaves all his concerns at God’s feet.  I had not seen his tougher side until now.  As I look back on his hospital stay, I remember how he again confidently agreed to go to the operating room for the 2nd time less than 48 hours after the 1st surgery.  He was calm as he struggled to breathe before they put him on the ventilator prior to his 3rd surgery.  He even mustered the strength to tell me he loved me while in the midst of his torment of failing lungs.  After his 3rd surgery on Friday, he struggled to breathe on the ventilator with flash pulmonary edema as the medical staff did their best to keep him alive.  During this, he would respond to our voices, open his eyes, move his eyebrows, and squeeze our hands at our request.  When I was growing up, he would make me laugh when he would wiggle his ears at my request.  That night I think he would have wiggled his ears if I had asked, just to reassure me.  Although I know Dad grew up on a farm, I know his “toughness” comes from knowing that he is right where God wants him to be.  He knows God is in control, and I am proud to have a father who is able to be strong and courageous in the most desperate time in his physical life.

Thanks/Praises:
1.  Dad is moving and following commands despite the insult of Friday night’s breathing difficulties.
2.  So far his cultures have not shown any sign of infection.
3.  The encouragement of the “howdy” wave.
4.  The support from family and friends has been a truly moving experience
5.  God is in control.

Prayer Requests:
1.  That he can come off the inhaled nitric oxide.
2.  Protection from further complications and a miraculous healing to his body.
3.  That Dad’s journey will continue to speak to others as a testament of God’s goodness.

Thank you for reading.  I hope this is an encouragement to you.

Gratefully,

James