2 Corinthians 4:16-18

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Yesterday was an emotional roller coaster and I am bracing myself for today to be the same. Have you ever felt just utterly heartbroken? Gut wrenching cries for someone you dearly love? These past 2 days have been terribly difficult and am find myself clinging to the littlest things to bring up my attitude. Like my 3 month niece squealing at me in the waiting room, a random Starbucks from a friend, the fact that I now have 4 bottles of dry shampoo because people appreciate my obsession with that stuff.

Derek was able to get his oxygen and breathing a bit under control in order to undergo jaw surgery yesterday morning. They were able to put a plate in and did not need to wire his jaw shut. The surgery went very well and both doctors seem to think he will have no issues moving forward. As of now, they are not planning on doing surgery for his orbital break. They believe the fracture can heal on its own. This means we SHOULD be done with surgeries!

Unfortunately, his lungs are not healing at the rate they had hoped. Yesterday at 3:30pm, he underwent surgery to place in a trec, chest tube, and feeding tube. The trec has allowed him to be off the breathing tube and helps protect his airway a bit more. Although it is never fun to see someone you love with a tube sticking out of their throat, I know this is the best thing for him at this point.

The chest tube went into his left lung and helped drain the blood that had developed from all his injuries. They have already drained at least 2 cups of blood out of the one lung. Praise the Lord for technology and medicine. It would have taken him forever to clear the blood on his own.

He does have pneumonia, which we are praying will go away with a healthy dose of antibiotics. He was rocking quite the fever last night which sent me into a tizzy. His temperature did drop down this morning and is hanging at a stable 99 degrees.

This afternoon has been nice and we believe this is the first day he really is able to remember and understand what all has happened. Please be praying for him as the realization of the severity of the accident sets in. We have been coping with this reality for a week but he is just realizing it today.

Due to the trec, he cannot talk but he can try to tell us what he wants through hand motions. We played a great game of charades for about 20 minutes until I realized he wanted his eyes wiped with a cloth. At one point I asked if he was getting annoyed at me and he shook his head yes. Ha. And you think YOU need to work on the communication in your marriage :)

For today, please be praying for the phenomena, Derek's mind as reality sets in, and the healing of his lungs.

Ps. My neighbor just sent me a photo and you guys stacked our mailbox full of letters! Thank you so much. I am going to start reading him a few tomorrow.

With Love,

The Lavenders